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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

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http://www.archive.org/details/educationalessayOOthomiala 


EDUCATIOML  ESSAYS. 


(E..  THOMSON,    D.   D.,  LL.   D."" 

NEW  EDITION,  REVISED   AND   ENLARGED 


yygH.^  g>^  ^ft  yww  w(; 


j4j  edited 


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REV.  D.  W.  CLARK,  D.  D. 


fiu^  Li^ 


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4?*-/3   .  PUBLISHED  BY  L.  SWORMSTEDT  &  A.  POE, 

FOR  THK  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  AT  THE  WESTERN  BOOK  CONCKRN, 
CORNER  OF  MAIN  AND  EIGHTH  STREETS. 


E.    P.    THOMPSON,    PRINTER. 

1856. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1856, 

BY  SWORMSTEDT  &  POE, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District 
of  Ohio. 


Annex 
Cage 


xtintt. 


DURING  the  half  century  just  past,  no  writers,  as 
a  class,  have  occupied  a  higher  position  in  our 
'English  literature,  or  exerted  a  wider  influence  upon 
the  literary  mind  than  the  essayist  and  reviewer. 
Jheirs  has  become  a  distinct  vocation,  occupying  the 
profoundest  thinkers,  the  keenest  logicians,  and  the 
most  gifted  writers.  Among  these,  the  names  of  Cole- 
ridge, Jeffrey,  Wilson,  Macintosh,  De  Quincey,  Car- 
lyle,  Macaulay,  Brougham,  Lamb,  D'Isreali,  Camp- 
bell, Hazlitt,  Sydney  Smith,  Talfourd,  Rogers,  Ever- 
ett, Giles,  Sumner,  and  Whipple — successors  of  "  the 
old  British  essayists" — shine  as  a  brilliant  galaxy. 
Wherever  the  English  language  goes  forth  in  its 
progress  over  the  earth,  there  will  their  influence 
be  felt;  and,  indeed,  we  can  hardly  conceive  of  a 
period  in  the  coming  future  when  they  will  cease  to 
charm  by  the  beauty  of  their  imagery  and  the  brill- 
iancy of  their  wit,  or  to  instruct  by  the  calm  dignity 
of  their  diction  and  the  lucid  expositions  of  literature 
and  philosophy  which  gleam  along  their  pages. 

With  unhesitating  confidence,  we  claim  for  the  au- 
thor of  these  "  Educational  Essays  "  a  place  in  the 
brotherhood  of  the  essayists  of  the  age.  The  natu- 
ralness of  his  method,  the  transparent  clearness  and 


PREFACE. 


purity  of  his  style,  the  aptness  and  beauty  of  his 
illustrations,  must  challenge  commendation  from  the 
most  critical  and  exacting.  Then,  too,  impregnating 
the  whole,  is  the  moral  and  religious  element — where 
too  many  other  essayists  have  sadly  failed.  The  edu- 
cation developed  in  these  pages  is  not  one  that  dis- 
plays a  mock  morality  and  a  false  faith ;  but  one  in 
which  the  religion  of  the  Bible  is  made  to  assume  its 
true  place  as  the  foundation-stone.  Every-where 
does  the  author  recognize  the  importance  of  com- 
bining religious  culture  with  general  education,  in 
order  that  the  world  may  be  saved  from  the  curse 
of  unsanctified  knowledge. 

The  author  of  these  essays  is  said  to  be  of  the 
same  family  stock  as  James  Thomson,  the  poet  of  the 
"  Seasons."  What  Lord  Littleton  said  of  the  poet, 
we  believe  may  be  said  with  equal  propriety  of  the 
essayist — that  his  writings  contain 

"  No  line  which,  dying,  he  could  wish  to  blot." 

D.  W.  Clark. 
Cincinnati^  May^  1856. 


'  fresh  »   ,  J 
Is   emt    I 
dcfensi 
alms     A 


tK 


CONTENTS. 


Globe  Thought Page    9 

Geneeal  Education 33 

Uses  of  Chemistey 62 

PoisoNisa 67 

yGoNFLICTS  OF   LiFE 71 

^AThb  Path  to  Success 95 

^?^     Mental  Symmbtey 114 

The  Inner  Woeld-. • 138 

Inaugural  Addeess 157 

Extremes  in  Philosophy 186 

Religious  Ideas  the  Basis  of  Education 210 

Moral  Education 234 

Miscellaneous  Reading 268 

Necessity  of  Colleges 282 

Logic,  in  its  Relations  to  Medical  Science 303 

IIixTS  TO  Youth 326 

I'EiiALE  Education 354 

Okiginaltty 376 

Higher  Education 393 

5 


.fA«/»*4 


ntational  ^ssap. 


EDUCATIONAL  ESSAYS. 


THOUGHT  is  the  foundation  of  all  intellectual  excel- 
lence. What  is  it  that  constitutes  darkness  in  the 
individual  or  the  age  ?  The  absence  of  thought — ^strong 
thought.  What  is  it  that  has  handed  down  innumerable 
errors  from  generation  to  generation  ?  The  want  of 
thought.  What  was  it  that  entombed  the  world's  mind 
for  ages?  The  world's  fearful  experiment  to  dispense 
with  thought. 

What  was  it  that  burst  the  chains  of  religious  bondage, 
and  gave  to  Europe  moral  freedom?  What  is  it  that 
has  spread  before  our  vision  so  many  natural  truths — 
that  has  opened  so  wide  the  path  of  discovery — has 
crowded  it  with  so  many  anxious  inquirers,  and  is  pre- 
paring the  way  for  the  general  education  of  the  human 
race  ?      Thought. 

And  yet  it  may  be  doubted  whether  men,  even  in  the 
most  enlightened  portions  of  the  world,  do  not  act  more 
from  authority  than  from  reason.  Man's  natural  indo- 
lence induces  him  to  adopt  the  opinions  of  others,  rather 
than  to  form  opinions  for  himself.  He  would  rather 
read  or  write,  look  or  hear,  talk  or  laugh,  than  think. 
Perhaps  no  one  has  ever  acquired  a  habit  of  reasoning 
without  having  tried  a  variety  of  expedients  to  dispense 
with  it;  while  thousands  forego  the  pleasure  of  original 

9 


40  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

thouglit,  because  they  will  not  pay  the  price.  Like 
sheep,  they  follow  a  leader,  and  have  no  other  reason  for 
being  gregarious,  than  "tpse  dixit — iia  est." 

May  I  not  hope,  therefore,  gentle  readers,  that  an  hour 
of  your  time  may  not  be  unprofitably  spent  in  pondering 
a  few  remarks  on  close  thought ! 

As  the  theme  is  a  term,  and  not  a  proposition,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  prescribe  some  limits,  in  order  to  avoid 
discursive  remarks.  I  propose,  therefore,  to  inquire,  first, 
what  close  thought  implies;  and,  second,  what  are  some 
of  the  subterfuges  of  those  who  avoid  it. 

1.  It  implies  unity  of  thought.  I  do  not  suppose  that 
a  man  should  have  but  one  thought,  or  one  favorite 
thought,  or  one  particular  series  of  thoughts.  There  is 
a  man  of  one  idea.  He  seems  fitted  to  revolve  but  one 
notion.  In  silence  and  in  uproar,  in  sunshine  and  in 
shade — whether  he  sings  or  prays,  laughs  or  cries,  reads 
or  writes,  flies  or  triumphs — at  morn,  at  noon,  at  dewy 
eve,  and  "even  in  visions  of  the  night,  when  deep  sleep 
falleth  upon  man,"  his  favorite  conception  occupies  all 
his  faculties.  He  hears  it  in  running  brooks,  reads  it  in 
beauteous  vales,  sees  it  in  every  thing.  He  treats  men, 
books,  and  things,  as  did  Lord  Peter,  in  the  "Tale  of  a 
Tub,"  his  father's  will,  who,  determined  to  find  the  word 
"shoulder-knots,"  picked  it  out  letter  by  letter,  and  at 
last  substituted  C  for  K  in  the  orthography.  His  mind, 
like  the  touch  of  the  fabled  Midas,  which  turned  every 
thing  into  gold,  transmutes  all  the  thoughts  with  which 
it  meets  into  the  one  golden  idea.  Such  a  mind  may 
have  variety,  but  that  variety  must  consist  of  the  various 
phases  which  the  favorite  thought  assumes  in  pursuing 
its  endless  revolutions. 

Perhaps  most  of  you  may  be  acquainted  with  living 
examples.  As  it  would  be  manifestly  "improper  for  me  to 
allude  to  such,  I  will  advert  to  the  well-authenticated 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  11 

story  of  an  ecclesiastic  of  a  former  age,  whose  mind  was 
so  thoroughly  preoccupied  with  certain  doctrines,  that 
he  often  preached  election,  reprobation,  and  foreordina- 
tion  from  the  text,  "Parthians,  Medes,  and  Elamites." 

It  is  a  beautiful  hypothesis  of  a  school  of  philosophy, 
that  there  is  a  regular  gradation  among  created  beings, 
from  the  tallest  archangel  to  the  minutest  particle  of 
inanimate  matter.  As  the  polypus  serves  to  connect  the 
world  animated  with  the  world  inanimate,  so  this  mind 
may  be  serviceable  as  a  connecting  link  between  soul 
irrational  and  spirit  rational. 

Such  a  mind  is  like  the  polypus  in  more  than  one 
respect.  It  is  said  of  that  parasite,  that,  deriving  nour- 
ishment from  the  moisture  of  the  atmosphere,  it  flour- 
ishes as  well  on  the  sea-washed  rock,  as  on  the  verdant 
vale — having  no  organism,  but  living  by  absorption,  it 
may  be  turned  inside  out,  without  suffering  injury  or 
inconvenience;  and  being  unique,  it  may  be  cut  into 
sections,  and  each  part  retain  its  beauty  and  perfection. 
So  with  such  a  mind — it  is  the  same  in  the  most  barren 
as  in  the  most  fertile  region  of  conception;  and  all  its 
delicate  and  complicated  machinery  being  drawn  into  a 
simple  hollow,  intellectual  canal — increasing  by  no  elabo- 
rate processes  of  moral  secretion  and  digestion,  but  by 
simple  absorption  from  the  inner  and  outer  surfaces — it 
might  be  indefinitely  divided,  if  mind  were  divisible,  and 
each  part  possess  all  the  loveliness  and  perfection  of  the 
primordial  being. 

I  say  not  that  such  a  mind  must  necessarily  be  weak — 
it  may  be  strong,  but  it  can  not  be  healthy — its  condition 
is  that  of  monomania.  It  is  as  pitiable  an  anomaly  in 
the  moral  world,  as  an  animal  with  one  muscle  and  capa- 
ble only  of  flexion  and  extension,  would  be  in  the  natural 
world. 

By  unity  of  thought  I  mean  that  a  man  should  have 


12  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

but  one  thought  at  a  time.  Unity  of  effort  is  essential 
to  vigorous  action.  The  human  mind,  in  its  best  estate, 
is  limited.  The  triumphs  of  the  proudest  human  soul 
are  few  and  humble.  Physiologists  have  said  that  no 
two  general  specific  diseases  can  occupy  the  same  system 
at  the  same  time.  If  a  stronger  malady  assail  the  body, 
preoccupied  by  a  weaker,  the  besieged  may  retire  from 
its  fortress,  and  give  place  to  the  besieger;  the  latter 
having  run  its  course  may  retire,  and  the  former  may 
return  and  finish  its  career.  Upon  this  principle  the 
dreaded  practice  of  exciting  ptyalism,  in  febrile  affec- 
tions, is  founded — the  physician  expecting  that,  by  in- 
ducing the  mercurial  fever,  he  will  overcome  the  more 
dreaded  intermittent  or  remittent.  We  leave  to  others 
the  settlement  of  the  physiological  principle  and  the 
practice  founded  upon  it.  Our  purpose  is  to  illustrate 
the  psychological  law  that  the  mind  can  not  be  occupied 
with  two  important  thoughts  at  the  same  moment.  By 
attempting  to  grasp  many  thoughts  at  once,  we  grasp  no 
one  firmly.  The  story  told — if  I  mistake  not — by  Dr. 
Franklin,  of  the  child  who,  while  he  held  an  apple  in 
each  hand  firmly,  sought  to  bear  off  a  third  and  lost  all 
of  them — a  story  originally  employed  to  exhibit  the  folly 
of  avarice — will  serve  to  illustrate  the  futility  of  the 
attempt  to  seize  a  dozen  thoughts  together.  The  mind, 
confused  by  a  thousand  ideas  at  once,  can  no  more  reason 
than  could  a  shepherd  discourse  with  his  friend  amid  the 
din  of  a  thousand  forge  hammers. 

I  would  not  be  understood  that  in  examining  one 
thought  we  may  not  examine  others  collaterally.  In 
tracing  one  thought  we  shall  meet  with  many;  for  no  one 
is  isolated.  As  in  sailing  down  a  stream  we  find  our- 
selves in  a  swelling  channel,  constantly  enlarging  by  the 
accession  of  tributaries;  so,  in  pursuing  a  thought,  we 
shall   find   it   enlarging   and   multiplying    its   relations. 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  13 

Only  let  us  take  care  to  sail  down  the  main  channel 
instead  of  trying  to  sail  up  each  tributary. 

It  may  be  thought  that  by  limiting  the  mind  we  con- 
tract it.  It  is  true  that  there  is  a  mighty  intellect,  capa- 
ble of  far-sweeping  thought,  which  seems  crippled  when 
confined.  It  spurns  all  common  restraints,  and  stationing 
itself  on  an  eminence,  which  others  may  never  hope  to 
gain,  and  placing  to  the  eye  a  telescope  of  greatest  power, 
sees  far  beyond  the  vision  of  ordinary  minds,  and  reveals 
wonders  before  unconceived.  But  generally  the  man  who 
always  makes  the  wide  world,  or  the  wide  universe,  the 
theater  of  observation,  will  see  no  more  than  any  other 
eye  can  perceive;  whereas,  if  he  limited  the  field  of 
observation,  and  applied  a  microscope  to  it,  he  would 
discover  a  thousand  beauties,  not  less  new,  not  less  won- 
derful, though  less  magnificent,  than  those  which  the  tel- 
escope discloses  to  the  observer,  on  the  eminence  which, 
to  all  common  footsteps,  is  unapproached  and  unapproach- 
able. Allow  your  mind  to  range  freely,  direct  your 
attention  to  nothing  in  particular,  and  you  may  have 
variety,  but  it  will  be  barren,  common,  tasteless — nothing 
new,  nothing  original,  nothing  striking. 

Take  a  single  thought  and  trace  its  connections — if  it 
belong  not  to  the  exact  sciences,  in  which  the  relations 
are  those  of  degree  and  proportion,  or  to  the  ethical,  in 
which  they  are  those  of  conformity  to  established  rules, 
you  will  find  a  thousand  beautiful  relations.  Let  us 
specify  a  few : 

(1.)  Kelations  of  connection.  Every  thought  is  con- 
nected with  a  family  of  extensive  ramifications.  To  be 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  it,  we  must  not  be  content  to 
view  it  alone.  Like  the  ingenious  suitor,  we  must  allow 
it  to  introduce  us  to  its  relatives,  watch  its  movements 
in  the  family  circle,  observe  it  under  the  play  of  domes- 
tic affinities,  compare  it  with  the  other  branches  of  its 


14  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

beloved  sisterhood,  and  question,  frequently  and  ingen- 
iously, its  most  intimate  companions.  It  is  only  in  this 
way  that  we  can  obtain  a  knowledge  of  its  occult  charac- 
teristics. These,  like  the  skillflil  coquette,  it  will  hide 
from  all  but  the  close  and  practiced  observer. 

(2.)  There  are  relations  of  correspondence.  Every 
thought  may  be  regarded  as  having  an  extensive  partner- 
ship— co-operating  with  others  in  manufacturing  certain 
moral  fabrics.  It  is  amusing  and  edifying  to  trace  out, 
in  any  given  case,  the  members  of  the  firm — to  examine 
the  bond  which  binds  them — to  mark  the  stock  which 
each  has  in  trade — to  ascertain  the  part  which  each  per- 
forms in  the  common  business,  and  see  their  mutual  com- 
munications and  operations. 

(3.)  Relations  of  dependence.  Every  thought,  unless 
it  be  a  first  truth,  has  a  basis  on  which  it  reposes,  and  in 
its  turn  afi"ords  foundation  to  others.  To  see  how  far  it 
is  dependent,  and  how  far  independent — to  mark  where 
it  receives,  and  where  it  furnishes  support,  is  an  exciting 
and  gratifying  task. 

(4.)  Relations  of  analogy.  The  endless  variety  observ- 
able in  the  natural  world  is  no  less  noticeable  in  the 
moral  world.  It  is,  at  once,  an  exercise  of  attention,  of 
memory,  of  judgment,  and  of  imagination,  to  group  to- 
gether analogous  thoughts,  and  to  mark  diflPerences  and 
resemblances.  And  this  exercise  confers  the  power  of 
nice  discrimination. 

(5.)  Relations  of  composition.  The  unlearned  man 
may  wonder  why  one  single  mass  of  ore,  not  larger  than 
a  nutshell,  should  furnish  matter  of  experiment  to  a 
chemist  for  a  whole  day — should  induce  him  to  call  into 
requisition  so  many  tests — to  employ  so  much  curious 
apparatus — to  blow  up  his  fires  and  fill  his  retorts;  while 
he  could  plow  over  ten  acres  of  the  soil,  or  shovel  up 
twenty  cart-loads  of  it  with  less  time  and  trouble.     Many 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  16 

a  thought  which  a  coarse  mind  would  deem  too  small  to 
be  picked  up,  if  subjected  to  a  discerning  intellect,  may 
be  deemed  a  worthy  subject  of  long  hours  of  experiment 
under  the  most  complicated  mental  processes.  Do  you 
doubt?  then  take  some  thought,  subject  it  to  rigid  analy- 
sis, and  see  if  you  do  not  find  matter  for  all  your  atten- 
tion, and  power,  and  furniture  of  mind;  and  if  you  do 
not  receive,  as  the  result  of  your  decomposition,  some 
element,  which,  if  inflamed,  may  illuminate  the  darkest 
chamber,  or  fuse  the  hardest  moral  metal. 

You  will  perceive,  therefore,  that  the  steady  direction 
of  the  mind  to  one  thought,  so  far  from  causing  paucity 
of  ideas,  is  productive  of  a  rich  variety.  So  intimately 
connected  are  sciences,  that  no  man  can  obtain  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  any  one,  without  acquiring  a  knowledge  of 
many  others.  So  it  is  with  single  facts.  The  Portu- 
guese, in  returning  from  Cape  Baj  adore,  discovered  the 
island  of  Madeira.  In  their  voyages  to  more  southern 
capes  of  the  then  unknown  parts  of  Africa,  they  met 
with  Cape  Verde  islands  and  the  Azores.  In  their  search 
after  a  new  way  from  the  Tagus  to  India,  they  discovered 
the  rich  country  of  Brazil.  In  their  glorious  career  of 
geographical  discovery,  they  enlarged  their  commerce — 
in  increasing  their  commerce,  they  enlarged  their  manu- 
factures. 

Send  out  the  mind  upon  the  ocean  of  truth,  and,  even 
though  in  pursuit  of  a  single  thought,  it  will  meet,  in  its 
voyage,  with  others  of  which  it  does  not  dream. 

2.  Close  thought  implies  fixedness  of  attention  and 
concentration  of  mental  energy.  Washington  Irving  has 
remarked,  that  this  habit  is  rarely  possessed  by  Ameri- 
cans. They  are  more  accustomed  to  observe  than  to  rea- 
son— they  rely  more  upon  facts  than  upon  arguments. 
If  this  be  so,  it  is  the  more  important  to  call  attention 
to  the  subject;  for  it  is  the  stern  decree  of  Heaven  that 


i/ 


16  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

concentration  of  mind  is  essential  to  powerful  conception. 
The  poeis  soul,  like  the  maniac's  eye,  may  roll  in  pleas- 
ing frenzy.  To  the  student  or  the  philosopher,  whose 
object  is  the  discipline  of  the  mind,  or  the  investigation 
of  truth,  steadiness  of  gaze  is  indispensable.  The  light 
of  the  sun  possesses  no  power,  when  radiating  freely,  to 
fire  the  softest  piece  of  timber.  Is  there  a  mind  so  glo- 
rious as  to  challenge  the  orb  of  day  as  a  fit  emblem  of 
itself,  it  must  converge  its  rays  to  a  focus  before  it  can 
become  a  burning  light.  There  must  be  a  fixing  of 
attention,  a  combination  of  the  faculties,  a  gathering  of 
the  soul's  energies,  a  narrow  limitation  of  the  field  of 
exertion,  in  order  to  effect  any  thing  important  in  the 
region  of  thought.  Small  triumphs  may  be  gained  by 
scattered  companies,  but  troops  must  be  marshaled  upon 
the  same  plain,  obey  the  same  commander,  fight  the  same 
foe,  to  effect  a  glorious  achievement.  Do  you  wish  to  be 
capable  of  triumphant  mental  exertion?  Subdue  all 
your  faculties,  teach  them  to  obey  your  commands  with 
promptitude — to  move  with  automatic  precision — to  act 
in  concert — to  rush  to  headquarters  at  a  moment's  warn- 
ing— to  seize  a  subject  with  vigor,  pursue  it  with  perse- 
verance, and  a  determination  never  to  leave  it  till 
thoroxighly  mastered.  This  is  what  phrenologists  call  con- 
centrativeness — without  it  the  most  powerful  organs  are 
weak. 

3.  Close  thought  implies  patient,  laborious  research. 
The  curse  which  dooms  man  to  perpetual  toil  as  the  price 
of  his  subsistence,  penetrates  his  soul,  and  sheds  the 
dews  of  perspiration  upon  his  brow,  before  it  allows  the 
spirit  to  feel  a  consciousness  of  health  and  vigor,  or  per- 
mits it  to  thrust  the  sickle  into  a  rich  and  abundant 
harvest  of  thought.  Fancy  may  take  flights  in  parox- 
ysms, but  reason  receives  truth  as  the  reward  of  only 
patient,  persevering  toil.     God  has  equalized  his  gifts  in 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  17 

the  moral  world  more  than  is  generally  supposed.  Excel- 
lences of  mind  are  less  the  gift  of  nature  than  the  re- 
wards of  industry.  I  say  not  that  there  are  no  original 
differences  of  mind ;  but  that  these  are  not  such  as  to 
prevent  the  ordinary  peasant,  by  a  slow,  steady,  upward 
movement  of  mind,  from  leaving,  at  a  sightless  distance 
in  his  rear,  the  brightest  genius  that  ever  the  globe 
rocked — if  that  genius  allow  his  thoughts  to  range  un- 
concentrated,  untrained. 

The  eagle,  fitted  by  God  to  sail  aloft,  directing  a  steady 
gaze  at  the  orb  of  day,  can  neither  attain  nor  maintain  a 
lofty  elevation  without  an  active  pinion.  The  ancients 
represented,  in  fable,  that  Minerva,  goddess  of  wisdom 
and  liberal  arts,  sprang  mature,  perfect,  full-armed,  from 
the  head  of  Jupiter;  but  if  you,  like  the  fabled  father 
of  men,  and  king  of  gods,  nourish  beneath  the  mem- 
branes of  your  brain  a  full-armed,  perfect  goddess,  you 
will  find  that  you  shall  suffer  throes  within  the  cranium — 
as  he  is  represented  to  have  done — and  need  the  skill 
and  the  ax  of  Vulcan  to  open  your  skull,  before  that  vir- 
gin shall  spring  and  dance  the  Pyrrhic  dance,  and  strike 
her  shield,  and  brandish  her  spear,  and  show  her  blue 
eye,  and  breathe  her  martial  fury,  and  enrapture  ancient 
proficients  in  virtue  and  wisdom  with  the  depth  of  her 
counsels. 

Many  a  noble  mind  has  failed  to  accomplish  aught 
because  it  would  not  labor.  Much  as  men  are  indisposed 
to  physical,  they  are  still  more  disinclined  to  mental  toil. 
Let  a  man  sit  down  to  cogitation — he  feels  it  to  be  bur- 
densome— he  thinks  his  stock  of  thoughts  must  soon  be 
exhausted — ^he  grows  discouraged.  Imagination  now  ap- 
pears in  robes  of  light — she  offers  a  lovely  bower — she 
spreads  a  mossy  couch — she  promises  to  fan  with  gentle 
zephyrs,  to  delight  with  lovely  landscapes,  and  lull  to 
repose  with  murmuring  rivulets  and  gently-flowing  tor- 


l/ 


18  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

rents.  Without  resolution  who  will  not  yield  to  the 
charmer?  Sometimes,  in  the  midst  of  our  first  efforts  at 
original  and  continuous  thought,  works  of  taste  open 
their  fascinating  pages,  and  offer  to  introduce  us  into  a 
world  of  unmarred  loveliness.  Often,  when  enduring 
the  toil  of  research,  we  find  a  path  at  hand  ready  turn- 
piked,  leading  to  the  truth  of  which  we  are  in  pursuit. 
The  temptation  is  too  great — we  abandon  our  own  path, 
pass  easily  along  the  beaten  track,  with  common  minds, 
and  although  we  arrive  at  the  object,  lose  mental  strength 
and  confidence,  and  the  sweet  consciousness  of  original 
discovery.  Occasionally  we  excuse  our  minds  from  labor 
by  sliding  from  investigation  to  some  other  duty,  prom- 
ising a  return  under  more  favorable  circumstances. 
Felix  dismissed  St.  Paul,  promising  to  send  for  him 
when  he  had  a  convenient  season — that  season  Felix 
never  found. 

No  one  will  ever  prosecute  a  connected  train  of  thought 
without  holding  an  iron  scepter,  with  a  steady  hand,  over 
the  powers  of  his  mind.  Never  did  warrior,  scaling 
snow-clad  Alps,  need  more  decision,  and  perseverance, 
and  steadiness,  than  he  who  ascends  elevated  summits  of 
thought,  bearing  upward  his  reluctant  faculties  against 
ten  thousand  persuasive  arguments  and  gravitating  influ- 
ences. Rugged  cliffs,  threatening  eminences,  terrific 
glaciers  are  not  more  opposing  obstacles  to  the  traveler 
than  are  those  which  present  themselves  to  the  undisci- 
plined mind  in  its  attempt  at  rigorous  investigation. 

Second.  Let  us  consider  the  excuses  of  those  who 
avoid  close  thought. 

1.  It  is  frequently  asked.  Is  not  thought  spontaneous — 
suggested  by  laws  of  association  beyond  the  control  of 
reason  ?  If  so,  whence  the  necessity  of  mental  exertion  ? 
This  query  is  frequently  the  subterfuge  of  indolence. 
The  agriculturist  might  say,  is  not  vegetable  nutrition 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  19 

dependent  on  laws  beyond  human  regulation?  why,  then, 
need  we  plow,  or  sow,  or  disturb  the  earth  with  harrows  ? 
What  though  thought  be  not  at  the  bidding  of  arbi- 
trary will — is  there  no  necessity  for  the  employment 
of  intellect?  The  existence  of  mental  faculties,  the  re- 
wards which  sweeten  intellectual  toil,  the  curses  which 
pursue  the  conscience-smitten  sluggard,  constitute  a  burn- 
ing reply  to  the  question. 

Two  ways  may  be  pointed  out  in  which  reason  may 
influence  thought.  First,  it  has  the  power  of  election 
and  reprobation  among  suggested  ideas.  It  can  detain 
a  thought  which  otherwise  might  pass  on  unnoticed,  or 
it  may  dismiss  a  thought  which  seems  fitted  to  occupy 
the  attention.  The  detention  of  an  idea  gives  rise  to  a 
series,  which  might  never  have  been  introduced  had  not 
its  precursor  been  fixed.  So  also  when  a  conception  is 
expelled,  its  associates  are  banished  with  it.  The  exer- 
tion of  this  power  is  of  incalculable  importance.  It 
needs  no  inspiration  to  discern  within  the  soul  a  tendency 
to  evil,  which  gives  to  pernicious  thought  an  aptitude  to 
engage.  To  raise  a  crop  of  weeds  or  brambles  we  need 
neither  sow  nor  plow.  Simply  to  neglect  the  soul  is  to 
abandon  it  to  the  possession  of  all  that  is  unlovely.  We 
are  naturally  indolent;  but  useful  ideas,  like  useful 
plants,  require  cultivation — if,  therefore,  wholesome 
thought  springs  up  in  the  uncultured  mind,  it  wilts,  and 
withers,  and  dies.  What  greater  privilege  does  the 
gardener  need  than  that  of  selecting  from  the  thousand 
productions  which  prolific  nature  pours  around  him  ?  Let 
him  but  eradicate  every  weed  within  his  little  inclosure, 
and  dig  around  the  roots  of  his  shrubs,  his  pinks,  and  his 
lilies,  and  he  will  soon  reap  his  reward  in  the  beauties 
and  fragrance  of  his  beds  and  bowers. 

What  but  this  has  transformed  a  rude  spot  into  that 
"garden  of  tears"  which  enraptures  every  wanderer  on 


20  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

"sweet  Mondego's  ever-verdant  vale?"  Nature  is  no  less 
bountiful  to  the  world  invisible  than  to  that  which  is 
physical.  Does  any  one  complain  of  barrenness  or  bram- 
bles, let  him  examine  whether  the  abundance  of  his 
neighbors  be  owing  to  any  superiority  in  soil.  Go,  thou 
sluggard,  go — fence  thy  grounds,  plow  thy  soil,  pluck 
thy  weeds,  cultivate  thy  vines  and  flowers;  and  scarce 
wilt  thou  be  able  to  say,  "Awake,  0  nOrth  wind,  and 
come  thou  south — blow  upon  my  garden,  that  the  spices 
thereof  may  flow  out,"  before  thou  shalt  see  the  grape 
blush  upon  the  vine,  the  carnation  breathe  its  fragrance, 
the  rose  disclose  its  beauty. 

A  second  way  by  which  the  reason  may  influence  con- 
ception, consists  in  putting  the  mind  in  approximation  to 
desired  thought.  We  are  all  conscious  that  we  are  able 
to  exert  the  mind  arbitrarily  in  the  recollection  of  forgot- 
ten facts  and  personages.  A  friend  in  the  street  inquires 
for  a  mutual  acquaintance — we  are  aware  that  we  know 
him,  but  are  unable  to  remember  him.  We  pause  a 
moment  and  endeavor  to  bring  him  to  recollection — 
instantly  he  flashes  upon  the  mind.  Here  we  are  con- 
scious of  voluntarily  placing  the  soul  upon  a  track  which 
we  knew  would  lead  to  the  person  whose  image  we  wished 
to  recall.  This  is  called  intentional  memory.  In  some 
cases  we  can  distinctly  trace  the  progress;  in  others, 
though  the  footsteps  are  undisccrnible,  we  are  conscious 
of  the  movement.  This  is  bearing  the  soul  backward 
through  familiar  truths  to  truths  forgotten;  but  it  serves 
to  illustrate  what  I  have  in  view,  by  the  voluntary  plac- 
ing of  the  soul  in  relation  to  undiscovered  truth.  When 
we  seek  to  discover  a  truth,  we  may  bear  the  mind  onward 
toward  the  point  whence  it  may  be  seen.  Though  we  may 
not  be  able  to  map  our  course,  we  may,  nevertheless,  be 
apprised  of  our  journey.  Though  we  may  not  reax^h  our 
point,  we  may  travel  toward  it,  and  can  not  fail  of  as- 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  21 

cending  to  elevated  points  and  opening  our  eyes  on  fields 
of  unwonted  light.  Do  we  desire  to  discover  new  laws 
of  matter  or  of  mind,  or  to  observe  new  correspondences 
in  the  inner  and  the  outer,  the  physical  and  the  intel- 
lectual worlds?  Let  us  ascend  to  the  tract  of  thought, 
where  such  laws  are  discovered,  such  correspondences 
observed,  and  dwell  where  the  patient  eye  can  not  long 
gaze  upon  the  scenes  spread  before  it  without  perceiving 
new  and  transporting  forms.  It  is  by  calm  and  persever- 
ing observation  alone  that  unknown  truth  is  made  known. 
It  may  come  unexpectedly  but  not  unsought.  The  eye 
may  have  no  more  difficulty  in  opening  upon  it  than  upon 
any  other  truth ;  but  the  steps  to  the  ascent  whence  it 
was  discoverable  may  be  numerous  and  steep. 

This  capability  of  putting  the  mind  in  such  relations 
as  are  fruitful  in  rich  and  new  ideas,  is  a  great  advantage 
which  the  cultivator  of  the  mind  possesses  over  the  tiller 
of  the  soil.  It  is  as  though  the  gardener  had  the  power 
of  removing  his  garden  at  pleasure  to  any  climate  he 
wished,  and  allowing  it  to  remain  there  till  it  experienced 
its  characteristic  efi"ects,  and  unbosomed  its  peculiar  fruits 
and  flowers. 

2.  It  has  often  been  femarked  that  original  discovery — 
original  thought,  is  generally  accidental.  It  may  be  so 
apparently,  but  not  really.  Two  facts  may  satisfy  us  of 
this.  Ignorant  men  are  not  discoverers.  New  truths  are 
revealed  only  to  patient  observers,  and  bold  and  persever- 
ing inquirers.  Who  discovered  the  circulation  of  the 
blood?  Not  the  ignorant,  thoughtless  butcher;  but  the 
scientific,  reflecting  anatomist.  Who  discovered  the  as- 
teroids? They  who  by  years  of  reflection  and  observa- 
tion were  led  to  suspect  their  existence.  Who  revealed 
the  laws  of  the  heavens?  He  who,  for  a  lifetime,  had 
laid  his  head  in  intense  and  untiring  thought  about 
them.     The  least  exertion  may  be  sufficient  to  make  a 


22  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

fortunate  discovery,  when  the  mind  is  filled  with  the  rich 
results  of  long  reflection ;  whereas  the  same  reflection  on 
the  part  of  an  unfurnished  mind  may  be  utterly  unpro- 
ductive— as  the  weight  of  a  grain  may  turn  the  scale- 
beam  against  a  tun,  after  nearly  twenty  hundred  weight 
have  been  put  into  the  opposite  dish. 

It  frequently  happens  that  discoveries  are  made  simul- 
taneously in  difi'erent  parts  of  the  world;  but  rarely  is  a 
discovery  made  in  advance  of  the  age.  Roger  Bacon  is 
the  only  remarkable  example  of  a  mind  outstripping  the 
race  by  ages ;  and  the  Pope  excommunicated  him,  and 
imprisoned  him  ten  years  for  supposed  dealings  with  the 
devil.  The  human  mind  during  the  dark  ages  scarce 
ever  shot  a  spark  into  the  regions  of  science;  but  when 
the  intellectual  night  receded,  the  beams  of  a  thousand 
stars  mingled  their  light  for  the  illumination  of  Europe, 
and  each  nation  had  her  constellation.  Simultaneous 
discoveries  are  the  legitimate  offspring  of  the  times. 
The  discoveries  do  not  illustrate  the  age,  but  the  age 
develops  the  discoveries.  They  are  the  necessary,  and 
we  might  say  the  inevitable  results  of  the  accumulations 
of  generations  of  excitement,  and  ages  of  progressive 
thought. 

3.  It  may  be  objected  that  some  of  the  happiest  pro- 
ductions in  the  department  of  taste  were  the  sudden 
effusions  of  moments  of  inspiration.  Granting  that  an  ex- 
traordinary genius  may  take  happy  flights  in  unprepared 
moments,  is  that  any  reason  why  ordinary  minds  should 
wait  for  poetic  breathing?  In  judging  of  the  labor  ex- 
pended upon  any  given  production,  an  unpracticed  com- 
poser may  be  deceived.  That  which  smells  most  of  the 
lamp  is  not  really  the  most  elaborate.  A  celebrated  critic 
pronounced  the  finest  writing  to  be  such  as  a  reader  would 
imagine  exceedingly  easy  to  equal,  and  yet  such,  that 
whoever  should  attempt  to  imitate  it,  would  perspire  over 


/Y.i,^ei 


7 


CLOSE    THOUGHT. 


his  task.     It  is  the  half-finished  production  which  leaves 
the  marks  of  labor. 

A  distinguished  clergyman  of  my  acquaintance,  when- 
ever he  preached  a  long,  and  learned,  and  involved  ser- 
mon, generally  apologized  by  saying  that  he  had  not  time 
to  prepare  a  short  and  simple  one.  A  celebrated  barrister 
of  one  of  our  eastern  cities  is  said  to  employ  a  style  which 
is  the  personification  of  simplicity,  and  yet  he  is  perhaps 
more  studious  and  laborious  in  his  preparations  for  the 
bar  than  all  his  competitors.  A  little  tract  sometimes 
costs  more  labor  than  a  volume.  The  perfected  composi- 
tion, like  the  finished  edifice,  is  the  result  of  double  toil, 
labor  in  erecting,  and  labor  in  removing  the  scafi"olding, 
and  scraping  away  the  traces  of  the  tools.  It  is  said  of  Per- 
icles, "who  lightened,  thundered,  and  astonished  Greece," 
that  he  never  spoke  extempore,  nor  even  ventured  to  de- 
liver an  opinion  without  ample  preparation.  Virgil 
occupied  ten  years  in  writing  six  books  of  the  j^Enead. 
Not  a  single  page  of  fine  writing  was  ever  produced  with- 
out much  intellectual  efi"ort ;  a  solitary  sentence  may  ex- 
press the  result  of  years  of  thought.  The  harvest  may 
be  gathered  in  a  day,  but  plowing,  and  planting,  and 
growth  require  time.  If  inspiration  may  be  relied  on, 
why  does  it  not  operate  upon  the  indolent  as  well  as  the 
active,  the  fool  as  well  as  the  wise  man  ?  He  who,  too 
idle  to  think,  sits  and  sighs,  and  invokes  the  muses,  will 
drink  the  Lethean  sooner  than  the  Pierian  spring. 

4.  Tlie  privileges  of  the  university  will  not  supply  the 
want  of  thought;  but  strong,  continuous  thought,  will 
atone  for  the  want  of  them.  I  hope  that  this  remark 
will  neither  be  misunderstood  nor  misrepresented.  I 
trust  I  am  as  deeply  impressed  with  the  value  of  clas- 
sical studies  as  any  man  ought  to  be;  though  I  regard 
them  not  as  education,  itself,  but  as  its  instruments. 
Their  chief  value   results   from   the   mental   discipline 


24  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

which  they  afford.  How  sadly  mistaken,  then,  is  he 
who  relies  upon  his  literary  privileges  merely  for  future 
greatness !  He  selects  the  best  university,  matriculates 
regularly,  carelessly  cons  his  lessons,  but  slurs  over  every 
difficult  passage;  relies  much  upon  the  aid  of  his  superior 
classmates,  and  places  his  head  upon  the  recitation  bench 
in  the  vain  hope  that  the  intellects  of  others  operating 
upon  his  passive  soul,  will  mold  him  into  a  genius,  as  the 
hammer  of  the  blacksmith  shapes  the  iron  upon  his  anvil 
into  a  horseshoe.  Verily  such  a  one  has  his  reward — 
a  sheepskin.  But  can  the  drone  thvs  purchase  mental 
power  with  his  father's  gold?  No.  Nature  spurns  tl4e 
insulting  proposition,  and  says,  "Thy  money  perish  with 
thee."  Better  for  such  a  one  that  he  had  never  opened 
a  page  of  Virgil  or  of  Homer — that  the  temple  of 
science  had  forever  closed  its  gates  against  him.  At 
the  termination  of  his  collegiate  course,  the  university 
clothes  him  with  its  honors ;  the  world  expects  him  to 
stand  "a  man;"  the  father  fondly  looks  to  him  for  a 
realization  of  the  delusive  dream  he  had  indulged  con- 
cerning his  cherished  idol.  He  enters  upon  the  duties 
of  active  life ;  but,  lo !  perhaps  in  the  very  first  collision 
with  the  vigorous  mind  of  the  self-taught  woodsman,  he 
is  demonstrated  to  be  a  learned  fool.  He  deserves  the 
sting  of  scorpions;  but  his  mortification  is  keener  than 
the  lash  of  an  exterminating  angel.  This  is  no  fancy 
sketch.     It  has  many  prototypes  in  real  life.     Nor  is  it 

_  much  to  be  wondered  at;  but  it  is  strange,  passing 
strange,  that  so  many  of  the  modern  "imjyrovements"  in 

•the  plan  of  education  should  be  based  upon  a  similar 
delusion.  I  refer  to  interpretations,  interlinear  transla- 
tions, etc.,  by  which  thought  is  superseded,  and  the  very 
purpose  for  which  the  classics  ought  to  be  valued  is 
frustrated.  When  the  ancient  poet,  ^schylus,  drew  a 
picture   of   a   great    man — a   picture,  which,  presented 


CLOSETHOUGHT.  26 

in  the  theater,  caused  all  the  audience  to  turn  to  Aris- 
tides,  as  he  whom  it  precisely  suited — he  painted  a  field 
deeply  plowed,  and,  therefore  richly  productive. 

Batd-sjay  oKoxx  J'ta  <f^mi  Kuefra-j/uiyct* 

The  following  is  a  literal  translation  of  this  part  of  the 
description  : 

"  Reaping  in  mind  the  produce  of  the  deep  furrow." 
It  is  because  the  precious  mental  fruit  springs  from 
the  deep  furrow,  that  the  classics  are  so  valuable — they 
are  the  plowshare.  To  render  them  easy,  by  injudicious 
aids,  is  to  grind  your  plowshare  into  dust,  and  scatter  it 
over  moral  turf.  The  mere  information  they  communi- 
cate is  of  little  consequence. 

There  have  been  men  who  have  risen  to  eminence 
without  classical  attainments;  but  they  acquired  by 
other  means  that  habit  of  thought  which  the  classics 
are  so  peculiarly  calculated  to  confer.  As  examples,  take 
Franklin  and  Cobbett,  the  one  an  American  philosopher, 
the  other  a  British  statesman;  one  was  the  glory  of  a 
former  age.  the  other  the  glory  of  the  present.  What 
was  the  secret  of  their  eminence? 

"I  learned  grammar  [says  Cobbett]  when  I  was  a  pri- 
vate soldier,  on  the  pay  of  sixpence  a  day.  The  edge  of 
my  berth,  or  that  of  my  guard-bed,  was  my  seat  to  study 
in;  my  knapsack  was  my  bookcase,  and  a  bit  of  board 
lying  on  my  lap  was  my  writing-table.  In  winter  time  it 
was  rarely  that  I  could  get  any  evening  light  but  that  of 
the  fire,  and  only  my  turn  even  of  that.  To  buy  a  pen, 
or  a  sheet  of  paper,  I  was  compelled  to  forego  some  por- 
tion of  food,  though  in  a  state  of  half  starvation.  I  had 
no  moment  of  time  that  I  could  call  my  own;  and  I  had 
to  read  and  write  amidst  the  talking,  laughing,  singing, 
whistling,  and  bawling  of  at  least  half  a  score  of  the 
most  thoughtless  of  men,  and  that,  too,  in  the  hours  of 
freedom  from  all  control."     Here  was  discipline.     Here 


^  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS, 

was  the  habit  of  self-control,  of  close,  patient,  vigorous 
thought. 

5.  There  are  some  who  have  fallen  into  the  sad  mis- 
y    take,  that  reading  is  a  substitute  for  thinlcing.     This  has 

l/^  been  the  curse  of  thousands.  The  age  is  emphatically  a 
reading  one.  We  read  in  infancy,  in  childhood,  in  man- 
hood, and  old  age;  literally,  we  read  ourselves  from  the 
cradle  to  the  tomb.  Scarce  has  an  infant  time  to  open 
its  eyes  upon  the  world,  before  it  is  tied  to  a  stool  to 

Jy^  learn  its  book;  and  a  man  is  considered  an  ignoramus 
unless  he  has  read  a  line  of  pages  large  enough  to  reach 
from  the  earth  to  the  moon.  It  often  happens  that  a 
father  congratulates  himself  upon  the  genius  of  his  son, 
and  the  sure  omens  of  his  future  eminence,  simply  because 
he  is  fond  of  reading.  He  seems  to  think  the  mind  a 
repository,  and  that  the  process  of  making  a  great  man 
'consists  in  filling  it  up  with  books,  and  then  putting  it 
Into  some  important  situation  in  life  to  give  occasion  to  its 
operations;  as  though  the  soul  were  a  tea-kettle,  and  you 
could  fill  it  up,  and  set  it  over  the  fire,  and  produce  the 
breathings  of  genius  ad  libitum.  To  such  a  father  I 
would  say,  beware,  lest  thy  son  prove  an  intellectual 
epicure — a  dreaming  fool.  Such  a  caution  is  more  neces- 
sary at  this  period,  because  much  of  our  reading  matter 
is  worthless.  It  must  be  admitted  that  literature  is  in- 
creased, but  is  it  not  also  diluted?  Authors  are  multi- 
plied, but  is  genius  advanced  ?  Every  thing  now  is  done 
by  steam.  Books  are  written  and  read  in  a  hurry. 
There  is  evidently  a  degeneracy  in  the  producing  mind. 
Books  seem  to  make  up  in  size  what  they  lack  in  sense, 
y  and  often  a  grain  of  the  solid  gold  of  an  old  author  is 
hammered  into  a  flimsy  octavo,  to  be  called  a  "new 
book."  The  eccentric  John  Randolph  once  remarked  in 
Congress,  that  he  wished  there  were  but  two  books  in  the 
world,  ''the  Bible  and  Will  Shakspeave."     Although  I 


CLOSETHOUGHT.  27 

demur,  in  part,  to  the  selection  of  that  erratic  genius, 
I  acknowledge  the  wisdom  on  which  the  suggestion  is 
founded. 

Books  are  needed  to  convey  information,  and  to  stim- 
ulate the  mind.  When  used  for  these  purposes,  they  are 
legitimately  employed;  but  when  they  are  used  for 
amusement  instead  of  instruction,  or  to  relieve  the  mind 
instead  of  assist  it  in  cogitation,  their  tendency  is  per- 
nicious. Equally  so,  when  they  fill  up  all  the  attention, 
and  leave  no  time  or  motive  for  thought.  The  mind 
always  flowing  in  the  track  of  borrowed  ideas  is  weak,  in- 
active, dependent.  It  has  no  tendency  to  observe,  no 
curiosity  to  inquire,  no  capacity  to  produce.  It  is  desti- 
tute of  original  conceptions,  of  lofty  thought,  of  elevated 
purpose. 

To  excite  the  mind  and  supply  it  with  ideas,  go  rather 
to  nature  than  to  books.  The  heavens  and  the  earth 
offer  food  to  the  soul.  Would  you  have  pure  and  orig- 
inal thoughts?  Go  to  the  only  pure  and  original  fount- 
ain of  ideas — nature.  There  lie  on  all  her  pages  the 
beautiful  and  the  sublime.  Go  send  your  soul  to  pillow 
herself  upon  the  green  earth,  or  enthrone  herself  upon  the 
heavens ;  bid  her  sail  upon  the  whirlwind,  step  into  the 
terrific  tempest;  place  her  ear  to  the  thunder,  and  open 
her  eye  upon  the  lightning's  path.  She  shall  meet  with 
ideas  of  beauty  and  of  grandeur,  and  hold  fellowship 
with  Him  who  maketh  the  earth  his  footstool,  the 
heavens  his  throne,  the  thunder  his  voice,  the  clouds 
his  chariot,  and  whose  footsteps  are  on  the  wings  of  the 
wind.  What  is  the  secret  of  success  in  medicine,  in 
law,  in  divinity,  in  oratory  ?  Thought.  Who  is  the  dis- 
tinguished doctor?  lawyer?  divine?  He  who  is  given  to 
patient  observation  and  reflection.  Show  me  the  philoso- 
pher who  was  more  fond  of  books  than  of  nature.  Was 
it  Aristotle,  who  gave  laws  to  Europe  for  more  than  thir- 


(/ 


28  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

teen  centuries?  Was  it  Bacon,  who  poured  such  a  flood 
of  light  upon  the  fields  of  philosophy  ?  Was  it  Newton, 
who  unraveled  the  laws  of  the  universe  ?  Was  it  Locke, 
who  applied  the  principles  of  the  inductive  philosophy  to 
mind?  Was  it  Bichat,  who  carried  the  same  principles 
into  the  physiological  sciences  ?     No,  no. 

How  did  the  ancient  poet  do?  Homer  had  no  books; 
and  yet,  for  his  image,  the  temple  of  Fame  opens  her 
"holy  of  holies,"  and  sends  up  the  sweetest  incense  that 
ever  exhaled  from  her  altars.  His  soul  kept  house  in 
the  universe.  The  scenery  of  his  native  land  supplied 
him  with  ideas,  and  like  the  widow's  cruse  of  oil,  was 
never  exhausted  or  diminished  by  the  using.  The 
naked  rocks  of  the  ^gean  fired  his  mind.  His  heart, 
like  the  Eolian  harp,  was  responsive  to  the  passing 
breeze.  "Sublimity  covered  him  all  the  day  long,  and 
dwelt  beneath  his  shoulders."  He  was  blessed  for  the 
precious  things  of  heaven,  for  the  dew,  and  for  the  deep 
that  coucheth  beneath,  and  for  the  precious  things 
brought  forth  by  the  sun,  and  for  the  precious  things 
put  forth  by  the  moon,  and  for  the  chief  things  of  the 
ancient  mountains,  and  for  the  precious  things  of  the 
lasting  hills.  The  mind  can  scarcely  fail  to  bring  good 
tidings  when  its  feet  are  upon  the  mountains.  It  is  not, 
however,  by  an  idle  ramble  that  nature's  beauties  can  be 
perceived.  These  are  hidden  from  every  eye  that  hath 
not  been  taught  to  dwell  upon  them.  It  was  a  beautiful 
idea  of  the  ancients,  that  the  heavens  and  the  earth  are  an 
allegorical  representation,  under  the  external  form  of  which 
are  couched  ideas  which  the  wise  only  can  read.  The 
soul  formed  to  contemplation  sees  a  thousand  charms 
never  revealed  to  the  untutored  mind.  Before  it  the  wil- 
derness breaks  forth  into  singing,  and  the  solitary  place 
buds  and  blossoms  as  the  rose.  To  such  a  mind  the 
universe  is  like   Anacreon's   lyre,    which,   whatever  was 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  29 

the  poet's  theme,  or  however  he  swept  its  chords, 
sounded  out  love  only  from  its  strings. 

0  let  me  listen  to  the  ravished  mind  that  has  been 
musing  on  the  fields!  "Her  lips  drop  as  the  honey- 
comb; honey  and  milk  are  under  her  tongue,  and  the 
smell  of  her  garments  is  like  the  smell  of  Lebanon." 

Whence  does  the  metaphysician  draw  his  ideas?  By 
turning  his  mind's  eye  inward,  surveying  the  faculties, 
and  their  operations,  tracing  the  thought  through  its 
stages — studying  the  laws  of  memory,  imagination,  judg- 
ment— making  the  soul  the  theme  of  its  own  observa- 
tions. Thus  was  Locke,  Reid,  Brown,  Stewart,  Cousin, 
taught. 

Who  is  the  successful  minister?  The  book-worm? 
Nay — the  diligent  student  of  his  own  heart.  It  was 
from  his  own  bosom,  next  to  the  Bible,  that  Massilon 
drew  his  eloquence,  Whitefield  his  power,  Wesley  his 
charm.  Here,  in  the  mysterious  workings  of  the  bosom, 
as  in  a  mirror,  you  may  behold  the  secret  springs  of 
human  action,  the  various  phases  of  human  character, 
the  deformity,  and  hideousness,  and  devilishness  of  de- 
praved humanity.  Here  you  may  examine  the  excuses 
of  the  sinner,  and  his  refuges  of  lies;  here  see  his  fears 
and  forebodings,  his  hopes  and  doubts;  here  trace  the 
silent,  melting,  mellowing  energies  of  the  Divine  Spirit, 
and  the  hellish  suggestions  of  the  invisible  foe.  0  there 
are  wells  of  inspiration  in  each  human  bosom,  whence 
angel  souls  might  draw!  Here  is  the  true  Castalian 
fountain.  Drink,  drink  deep,  and  then  trust  your  pen, 
or  tongue,  for  vivid  delineations  of  burning  thought. 
Inspired  by  communion  with  his  own  heart,  the  minister 
can  not  hut  be  eloquent.  He  comes  forth  on  vantage- 
ground.  He  has  obtained  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
inmost  workings  of  his  hearers'  hearts:  "As  face  an- 
swereth  to  face  in  water,  so  the  heart  of  man  to  man." 


80  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

The  audience  sit  in  mute  astonishment.  The  stillness — 
like  that  of  death — is  interrupted  only  by  the  falling 
tear,  or  the  half-suppressed  sigh.  No  wonder.  An  un- 
seen hand  goes  forth  from  the  preacher  into  each  bosom, 
and  searches  it;  every  one  is  conscious  that,  for  the 
time,  he  is  a  prisoner  chained  by  the  heart.  It  is  almost 
as  though  one  rose  from  the  grave. 

What  gave  to  Shakspeare  his  power?  Surely  he  knew 
little  of  books.  He  read  scarce  any  thing  but  human 
nature.  Hence  he  drew  whatever  of  sublimity,  of  fire, 
of  elegance,  of  sweetness,  inspired  his  song ;  and  hence 
he  derived  that  indescribable  charm  which  is  spread  over 
all  his  pages.     0  that  it  had  been  sanctified  ! 

But  you  inquire,  if  poets  and  orators  have  gone  to 
nature  for  ideas,  may  we  not  go  to  them  ?  Go  rather  to 
the  substance  than  the  shadow.  Go  to  the  pure  fountain, 
not  the  polluted  stream.  Think  not  so  meanly  of  your 
soul  as  to  suppose  it  unworthy,  or  incompetent,  to  receive 
a  thought  fresh  from  its  source.  To  you  the  universe 
opens  its  rich  and  abundant  fields  of  thought.  If  you 
would  know  their  native  fragrance  and  sweetness,  you 
must  gather  them  with  your  own  hand.  But  if  ideas 
could  be  derived  from  books,  fresh  and  green  as  we 
receive  them  from  nature,  there  would  yet  be  a  reason 
why  we  should  rely  upon  our  own  efforts.  The  strength, 
and  health,  and  happiness  of  the  soul,  is  dependent  upon 
the  proper  exercise  of  its  faculties. 

6.  Rhetoric  and  logic  have  been  supposed  by  some  to 
be  suhstitutes  for  thought.  I  quarrel  not  with  these 
sciences.  They  have  a  beneficial  influence  on  the  mind, 
and  are  to  be  ranked  high  among  elevated  studies.  But 
so  far  from  being  substitutes  for  thought,  thought  is  a 
substitute  for  them.  They  may  be  serviceable,  but  they 
are  not  essential  to  the  poet  or  orator.  They  did  not  go 
before  to  dig  the  channel  in  which  the  stream  of  genius 


CLOSE    THOUGHT.  81 

should  flow  forth ;  they  merely  followed  to  observe  its 
direction,  and  map  the  tributaries  which  swell  the  sweep- 
ing tide. 

With  all  the  logic  and  rhetoric  of  Aristotle,  a  man 
could  never  produce  an  original  thought,  any  more  than 
a  surveyor,  with  his  compass,  could  call  into  existence  the 
mountain  he  surveys. 

Think,  if  you  would  be  eloquent ;  think,  and  the  brain 
will  send  down  its  influence  upon  the  heart,  and  the 
heart  will  pour  up  its  heated,  reddened  current  to  the 
brain ;  and  the  brain  will  radiate  afresh  its  exciting  in- 
fluence upon  the  heart;  and  then  the  tongue  can  not 
avoid  eloquence.  She  loill  come  down,  and  seat  herself 
upon  the  lips. 

Does  the  excited  heart  need  direction  as  to  the  manner 
of  its  pulsations  ?  As  well  teach  the  earth  how  to  move 
in  her  orbit.  You  can  not,  if  you  ■would,  direct.  As 
well  attempt  to  give  laws  to  the  earthquake,  or  the  vol- 
cano, or  learn  the  exploding  magazine  hoio  it  shall  ex- 
pand. The  excited  heart  scorns  to  think  of  rhetoric 
or  logic.  They  dare  not  speak  to  her;  but  sit  mute  and 
enraptured  spectators  of  her  motions.  They  cease  to  be 
teachers,  and  become  silent  and  humble,  but  enchanted 
rcorshipers.  What  was  the  eloquence  of  Demosthenes? 
The  outbursting  of  an  overflowing  soul.  What  the  elo- 
quence of  Logan?  The  plaints  of  a  wounded  heart. 
What  the  eloquence  of  Tecumseh  ?  The  eruptions  of 
pent-up  revenge  and  indignation.  There  is  no  rhetoric 
like  that  of  the  stimulated  spirit.  Who  would  lecture 
on  the  arrangements  of  arguments  to  the  prisoner  plead- 
ing for  his  life?  Who  would  teach  the  inflexions  of  the 
voice,  which  are  suitable  for  command,  to  the  pilot,  with 
his  eye  on  the  headland,  the  breakers,  the  midnight 
ocean  storm,  while  his  whole  soul  is  roused  to  a  struggle 
with  the  maddened  elements  ?     Would  you  preach  on  the 


32  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

tones  appropriate  for  supplication  to  Dives  putting  his 
head  out  from  the  flames  of  perdition,  to  call  on  Abra- 
ham for  a  drop  of  water  to  cool  his  tongue  ? 

Rhetoric  and  logic  have  their  vises  j  they  do  not  precede, 
they  foUmo  thought.  They  may  be  concerned  to  crit- 
icise, to  subdue,  and  chasten.  But  even  in  this  office, 
let  them  be  watched  with  suspicion.  If  you  have  writ- 
ten a  line  with  a  throbbing  bosom,  beware,  then,  beware 
how  you  put  the  rude  hand  of  cold  criticism  upon  it. 
Nature  is  nature's  best  interpreter. 

These  sciences  find  their  occasions  of  service  in  the 
outset  of  the  mind ;  bixt  they  only  attend  it  in  its  grovel- 
ing walks.  They  are  earthly  instruments,  and  fitted 
only  for  terrestrial  valleys.  Once  wrap  the  soul  in  a 
chariot  of  flames,  and  like  Elijah  ascending  the  heavens, 
it  will  fling  away  its  staff  and  mantle. 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  89 


THE  history  of  education  may  be  divided  into  four 
periods.  The  first,  commencing  with  the  fall  of  man 
and  extending,  to  the  Deluge,  comprehends  a  term  of 
two  thousand  years,  and  may  be  denominated  the  pa- 
tparchal.  It  is  probable  that,  in  this  period,  the  whole 
race  was  in  a  semi-barbarous  condition;  they  wandered 
in  deserts  and  forests,  depending  upon  fishing  and  the 
chase  for  subsistence,  and  consuming  all  their  time  and 
expending  all  their  energies  in  procuring  the  necessaries 
of  life.  They  had  no  agriculture,  commerce,  navigation, 
arts,  or  science  worthy  of  the  name.  Their  wars  were 
collisions  of  brute  force;  their  governments  were  of  the  . 
simplest  kind,  growing,  in  most  instances,  out  of  the 
influence  of  aged  patriarchs  or  veteran  chiefs;  their 
arts  were  few  and  rude;  their  sciences  consisted  of  a 
few  phenomena,  perverted  to  superstitious  purposes; 
their  religion,  though  based  upon  important  revela- 
tions, was  obscured,  if  not  obliterated,  by  vain  imagin- 
ations. The  little  knowledge  which  they  possessed  was 
transmitted  only  by  tradition,  as  they  had  no  written 
language.  Their  wealth  was  poverty,  their  courage  fe- 
rocity, their  wisdom  superstition,  their  religion  idolatry. 
God  was  the  only  teacher,  and  it  was  but  now  and 
then  that  he  opened  heaven  and  let  down  a  truth  upon 
them.  Their  wickedness  hung  an  impenetrable  cloud 
over  them,  and  the  few  beams  that  darted  through  it 
from  the  skies  were  soon  absorbed  and  lost  in  prevailing 


34  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS, 

errors.  There  was,  however,  at  all  times,  one  luminous 
spot  on  earth,  though  often  bound  by  a  circle  a  few  feet 
in  diameter.  Enoch,  Nimrod,  Noah,  and  kindred  wor- 
thies, manifested  vigorous  intellect.  The  history  of  an- 
tediluvian ages  is  nearly  lost;  nor  need  we  deplore  the 
obscurity  which  rests  over  that  distant  period,  since  we 
know  that  it  had  no  influence  upon  postdiluvian  times, 
and  that,  if  the  vail  could  be  removed,  we  could  obtain 
no  valuable  information. 

After  the  Deluge,  the  human  mind  manifested  in- 
creased activity.  Less  than  two  hundred  years  subse- 
quent to  that  event,  Nimrod,  or  Belus,  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  Babylon,  and  Ashur  built  Nineveh,  which  be- 
came the  capital  of  the  Assyrian  empire.  Not  long  pos- 
terior, the  Egyptian  empire  was  founded  by  Menes,  or 
Mizraim. 

A  period  of  energy,  and  effort,  and  light  ensued,  com- 
prehending the  history  of  the  palmy  days  of  Egypt, 
Greece,  and  Rome,  and  embracing  a  period  of  more 
than  two  thousand  years.  The  first  and  perhaps  the 
greatest  development  of  human  intellect,  was  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Nile.  Egypt  attained  an  elevation  in  science, 
arts,  and  song,  to  which  the  world  must  look  up  for  ages 
to  come.  The  pyramids,  temples,  obelisks,  columns,  and 
colossal  statues  at  Thebes,  still  remain — having  resisted 
the  desolations  of  time  for  many  successive  centuries — 
and  attest  the  power,  the  perseverance,  and  the  skill  of 
Egyptian  artisans.  The  shriveled  mummy,  torn  from 
the  emboweled  catacomb,  and  transported  to  a  distant 
shore,  to  gratify  the  eye  of  vain  and  eager  curiosity,  re- 
minds us  that  arts,  of  which  we  are  ignorant,  were  known 
in  early  ages  to  Egypt.  Pompey's  Pillar,  Cleopatra's 
Needles,  and  the  forests  of  columns,  and  piles  of  ruins 
that  are  scattered  all  along  the  "  city  of  the  Dead,"  bear 
ample  attestation  to  the  ancient  glory  of  Alexandria. 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  35 

It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  when  mankind  passed 
From  the  migratory  to  the  settled  condition,  the  adjust- 
ment of  the  boundaries  of  their  possessions  would  be  an 
object  of  attention.  Accordingly,  we  find  that  geometry 
is  an  ancient  science ;  and  although  its  methods,  in 
early  ages,  were  coarse,  it  nevertheless  subserved  the 
most  valuable  purposes. 

To  what  extent  the  natural  sciences  were  cultivated 
we  are  at  a  loss  to  conceive ;  but  we  have  sufficient 
ground  to  conjecture,  that  the  external  character  of 
fossils,  the  structure  of  the  earth,  the  nature  of  vegeta- 
bles, and  the  history  of  animals,  were  by  no  means  over- 
looked by  the  philosophers  of  Egypt. 

The  more  important  phenomena  of  the  heavens  were 
observed  in  a  very  early  age ;  and  although  no  satisfac- 
tory manner  of  accounting  for  them  was  devised  till  a 
later  period,  yet  the  astronomical  knowledge  of  antiquity 
was  as  accui'ate,  if  not  as  extensive,  as  widely  diffused, 
though  not  as  philosophical,  as  that  of  the  nineteenth 
century  of  the  Christian  era.  The  phases  of  the  moon, 
the  precession  of  the  equinoxes,  the  differences  between 
solar  and  sidereal  time  were  all  familiarly  known  to  an- 
cient Egypt.  The  zodiac  was  divided  into  signs  by  a 
process  simple  and  ingenious,  and  requiring  a  persever- 
ance worthy  of  the  highest  reward.  So  common  was 
astronomical  knowledge  in  those  early  ages,  that  we  have 
reason  to  suppose  almost  every  distinguished  individual 
had  a  horoscope,  and  that  the  zodiacs  found  in  the 
ruins  of  Estne  and  Dendara  are  specimens  of  that  in- 
strument. The  true  system  of  astronomy,  supposed  by 
many  to  be  the  achievement  of  modern  science,  was 
taught  by  Pythagoras  five  hundred  and  ninety  years 
prior  to  the  Christian  era,  and  was  probably  derived  by 
him  from  jEunophis,  an  Egyptian  priest  of  On. 

The  healing  art  attained  considerable  maturity  at  a 


36  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

very  early  age.  Facts  were  observed  and  classified,  and 
deductions  drawn,  remedies  were  multiplied,  experiments 
made,  and  temples  dedicated  to  >(Esculapius.  Knowledge 
was  accumulated  and  transmitted,  and  much  that  is  useful 
in  medicine  was  known  before  the  days  of  Hippocrates 
or  Galen. 

In  the  fine  arts  no  modern  nation  has  ever  been  equal 
to  Egypt.  Music,  painting,  and  sculpture  were  culti- 
vated among  the  Egyptians  with  a  success  to  which  no 
subsequent  age  has  ever  yet  approached.  Greece  re- 
ceived light  from  Egypt,  and  traced  her  footsteps.  In 
government,  war,  philosophy,  poetry,  and  refinement,  she 
has  never  been  surpassed.  Do  you  ask  for  her  law- 
givers? History  points  to  her  Solon  and  Lycurgus.  For 
her  orators?  She  pronounces  the  name  of  Demosthenes. 
For  her  warriors?  She  mentions  Leonidas  and  Xeno- 
phon.  For  her  philosophers?  She  directs  to  Pythagoras 
and  Socrates.  For  her  arts  ?  She  points  to  the  Coliseum 
and  Parthenon,  still  rearing  their  summits  in  the  sun- 
beams. For  her  poets?  She  names  Homer,  and  proudly 
challenges  the  present  or  the  past  to  mention  his  equal, 
h  The  human  mind,  though  amply  developed  both  in 
Egypt  and  Greece,  did  not  take  the  same  direction  in 
both.  Egypt  cultivated  the  perceptive,  Greece  the  re- 
flective faculties.  Egypt  surpassed  in  arts,  Greece  in 
science.  Egypt  observed  facts,  Greece  drew  deductions. 
.  The  former  studied  external  nature,  the  latter  the  inter- 
1  nal  microcosm.  The  one  cultivated  the  arts  that  adorn, 
the  other  those  that  ennoble  mankind.  Egypt  thi-ew  her 
wand  upon  the  pencil  and  the  chisel,  and  bade  the  mar- 
ble breathe,  and  made  the  canvas  speak.  Greece  threw 
her  charm  upon  the  heart,  and  hushed  the  passions  into 
calm,  or  whirled  them  into  storm.  The  one  imitated  na- 
ture, the  other  vanquished  her.  The  former  arrested  the 
current  of  life  in  silent  admiration,  by  her  combinations 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  Wf 

of  color,  form,  and  sound ;  the  other  held  the  heart 
pulseless  by  her  vivid  delineations  of  intense  conception. 

Rome  followed  Greece,  but  stopped  far  short  of  her. 
The  impulse  which  the  human  mind  had  received  ap- 
peared to  have  been  in  some  degree  spent  before  it 
reached  the  imperial  city.  Nevertheless,  the  works  of 
ancient  Home  are  among  the  noblest  triumphs  of  man, 
^nd  her  language  is  the  repository  of  some  of  the  rich- 
est treasures  of  human  thought.  Long  as  literature  and 
science  are  cultivated,  ar  the  earth  is  the  abode  of  man, 
the  works  of  Tribonian,  Virgil,  Cicero,  and  cotemporane- 
ous  writers,  will  be  subjects  of  the  highest  admiration. 
We__need__n^  other  proof  of  Roman  greatness  than  Ro- 
Iman  langiiage.  It  is  precisely  adapted  to  convey  strong 
thought  and  intense  feeling.  We  may  form  a  very  good 
idea  of  a  nation's  intellect  by  its  language.  That  of 
France  is  just  such  as  a  versatile,  volatile  people,  like 
themselves,  would  desire — formed  for  colloquial  purposes. 
That  of  modern  Italy  seems  designed  for  love  songs,  the 
only  effort  for  which  the  emaciated  mind  of  its  inhab- 
itants appears  to  be  adapted.  The  language  of  old  Rome 
is  fitted  for  the  most  majestic  movements  of  mind. 

Under  the  influence  of  luxury  and  vice,  Rome  grad- 
ually declined,  till  at  length  she  was  overrun  by  success- 
ive hordes  of  barbarians,  by  whom  the  most  valuable 
productions  of  her  art  were  despoiled,  and  her  land, 
which  was  as  the  garden  of  Eden,  became  converted  into 
a  desolate  wilderness. 

It  is  melancholy  to  behold  the  empress  of  the  world, 
who  had  crushed  beneath  her  iron  footsteps  Carthage, 
Pontus,  and  Judea,  and  whose  chains,  at  one  time,  every 
nation,  from  Gaul  to  India,  were  proud  to  wear,  trampled 
beneath  the  brutal  tread  of  Huns,  Goths,  and  Vandals. 
The  reason  was  apparent.  She  neglected  the  education 
■  of  her  sons.     It  was  not  because  she  had  no  gunpowder 


38  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS, 

that  she  fell.     She  would  have  fallen  with  an  armory  in 

every  village,  and  a  magazine  in  every  house.    .Had  she 

possessed   the  spirit  of  her  Caesars,   or  her   Catos,   she 

would  have  buckled  on  her  shield,  and  her  legions  would 

have  rolled  back  the  tide  of  invasion,  and  planted  the 

Roman  eagle  on  the  invader's  soil. 

r     This   brings   us   to   the   third   period,   comprehending 

/  those  times  to  which  posterity  has  assigned  the  appel- 

)  lation  of  dark  ages.     During  the  long  period  of  nearly 

)  ten  centuries,  the  human    mind    appeared   to  have  lost 

:  \t     \  nearly  all  its   power;    and  the   trophies  which   it   had 

^       )  before   won   were   buried   in    oblivion.     Universal  dark- 

u  I  v^        ness  prevailed. 

/       The  monks  were  the  only  individuals  who  paid  atten- 
1   tion   to  literature  and  science ;  nor  did  they  all  devote 
themselves  to  these  pursuits — it  was  only  here  and  there 
that   a  monk   became   learned.      The  mass   of   civilized 
mind   was   stereotyped,   and   appeared  incapable  of  giv- 
j   ing  any  other  impression  than   that  which   the  '*  Holy 
'   Mother"   delineated.     The   priests   spent   their  time   in 
^  attending   to    the    ceremonies    of  the    Church,  and  the 

i  Pope  and  cardinals  were  engrossed  in  managing  affairs 

of  state.  The  whole  earth  appeared  to  be  wrapped  in  a 
pall  of  death,  and  the  human  race  to  proceed  in  one 
great  funeral  procession  of  age  after  age  to  eternity. 
The  prevalence  of  Popery  accounts  for  the  condition 
of  the  public  mind  during  the  dark  ages.  The  grand 
principle  on  which  the  Church  of  Rome  stands,  is  that 
the  general  intellect  shall  not  be  developed.  Popery 
and  general  education  are  as  incompatible  as  light  and 
darkness. 
,  The  last  period  commences  with  the  revival  of  letters, 

'  '  '  and  extends  to  the  present  time.  The  Reformation  and 
the  revival  of  letters  may  be  regarded  as  intimately  con- 
nected, if  not  in  the  relation  of  cause  and  effect.     It  is 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  39 

certain  that  no  general  revival  of  learning  could  have 
taken   place  without  the   influence   of  the   Reformation. 
tl  The  grand  question  between  the  reformers  and  the  Pope  1 1 
j\  was  this,  Shfill  there  be  but  one  or  mani/  minds?     There   |  j 
were  many  minor  points,  but  this  was  the  grand  one./ 
The  Pope  could  easily  have  adjusted  the  numerous  infe-' 
rior  matters  in  dispute  between   Luther  and  the  Chair  of 
St.  Peter;  but  he  could  not  yield  his  pretended  right  to\ 
control  the  world's  intellect.     He  said,   "There  shall  be  i 
but  one  mind  on  earth;  namely,  my  own."     Here  Luther  j 
joined  issue,  and  maintained  that  there  should  be  as   \ 
many  minds  as  there  are  men. 

Since  the  Reformation  the  progress  and  diff"usion  of    f 
knowledge  have  been  both  rapid  and  uninterrupted.  .' 

The  discovery  of  the  art  of  printing  and  the  mariner's 
compass,  the   introduction   of  the  Baconian  philosophy, 
and  the  application  of  steam  to  the   mechanic  arts,   have 
done   much   to   prepare   the   way  for  general   education. 
Several  important  political  events  have  contributed  largely 
to  the  same  end.     I  refer  to  the  American  Revolution,   j 
the  French  Revolution,   and  the  wars  of  Napoleon — the   J 
first  resulting  in  the  establishment  of  free  government  on  j 
our  own  shores,  and  the  two  latter  in  the  breaking  up  of  \ 
long-settled  forms  of  tyranny  and  ecclesiastical  usurpa-   j 
tion,  and  all  contributing  to  extend  th9  belief  that  man-  / 
kind  ought  to  think  for  themselves. 

We  can  but  mourn  when  we  contemplate  the  bloodshed 
of  revolutionary  France;  but  may  we  not  conceive  that 
even  that  disastrous  event  had  a  powerful  influence  in 
undermining  the  foundations  of  venerable  superstition, 
extending  liberal  principles,  and  promoting  general 
knowledge? 

If  we  turn  our  attention  to  Europe,  we  shall  find  that 
a^day  of  general  knowledge  has  already  begun.  The  pa- 
rochial  schools  of  Scotland  have  long  been  admirable. 


40  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

The  subject  of  general  education  receives  much  atten- 
tion in  England;  and  although  ecclesiastical  and  political 
institutions  present  an  insuperable  barrier  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  any  efficient  system  of  common  schools  ade- 
quate to  the  wants  of  the  British  nation,  yet  legislative 
and  private  munificence  are  sufficient  to  secure  the  bless- 
ings of  education  to  the  humblest  walks  of  life. 

The  common  school  system  is  acquiring  daily  efficiency 
and  extension  in  France.  The  Citizen  King  is  acquiring 
enduring  popularity  by  elevating  the  general  mind  of  the 
great  nation  which  he  rules,  and  which  has  so  often  been 
fertile  in  wars  and  wickedness.  There  is  much  to  com- 
mend in  the  spirit  which  has  long  prevailed  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  in  Switzerland,  and 
much  to  admire  in  the  public  and  private  institutions  of 
that  independent  people.  In  Sweden  the  most  liberal 
views  have  long  been  entertained  in  relation  to  educa- 
tion. She  has  a  common  school,  supported  at  the  public 
expense,  in  every  considerable  town.  The  University  of 
Upsal  has  an  enviable  reputation ;  and  the  general  edu- 
cation is  a  prominent  object  of  consideration  with  the 
Swedish  government.  The  parochial  schools  of  Den- 
mark are  equal  to  those  of  Scotland ;  and  her  metropolis, 
Copenhagen,  is  one  of  the  great  centers  whence  radiate 
the  rays  of  science  and  civilization  over  the  world. 
Even  Catholic  Spain  and  Italy  are  awake  on  the  subject 
of  education.  In  Russia  and  Austria  common  schools  and 
seminaries  are  erected,  teachers  are  educated,  and  an 
ample  course  of  instruction  is  pointed  out  bylaw.  More- 
over, the  children  are  not  only  provided  for,  but  com- 
pelled to  avail  themselves  of  the  legal  provisions  for  their 
advantage. 
j  Of  the  system  of  Prussia  we  need  scarcely  speak.  It  I  — 
■^  fia  the  best  that  was  ever  devised,  and  will  long  be  the  1 
J       1  model  for  all  the  enlightened  nations  of  earth.     Nearly  ; 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  41 

\  all  the  German  states  have  imitated  the  Prassian  system,  / 
land  several  of  them  have  brought  it  to  the  same  perfec-  , 
jtion  as  Prussia  herself.  If  we  cast  our  eyes  toward  Tur- 
key and  Egypt,  we  shall  see  that  even  the  Sublime  Porte 
has  caught  the  general  spirit,  and  transferred  it  to  the 
Pacha,  to  spread  over  the  land  of  Sesostris  and  the  Pha- 
raohs. 

In  our  own  country  education  is  becoming  general.    " 
To  New  England    belongs  the  honor  of  first  providing, 
by  law,  for  popular  education.     Her  noble  example  has 
been  followed  with  various  degrees  of  spirit  and  of  wis- 
dom by  most  of  the  other  states  of  the  Union. 

The  General  Government  has  not  been  an  idle  specta- 
tor of  these  movements  of  the  sisters  of  the  confederacy. 
She  has  assigned  to  the  new  states — beside  occasional 
donations — the  thirty-sixth  part  of  all  the  lands  within 
their  chartered  limits  for  the  purposes  of  general  educa- 
tion. Indeedj  to  our  country  we  must  look  for  the  origin 
of  all  those  plans  of  general  education  which  have  been 
brouglit  to  such  perfection  in  Europe.  We  believe  that 
when  the  wisest  of  modern  monarchs,  Frederick  William 
III,  ascended  the  throne  of  Prussia,  New  England  had  a 
common  school  system  matured  by  many  successive  years 
of  reflection  and  experience.  He  saw  America  free;  he  |  ; 
believed  her  institutions^  would  prove  permanent;  he 
knew  that  freedom  was  contagious,  and  that  the  example 
of  America  would  be  followed  by  the  other  nations  of 
the  world  unless  monarchies  were  rendered  popular.  To 
accomplish  this  object  he  devised  an  admirable  expedi- 
ent, namely,  the  education  of  his  people,  thus  making  L  \t 
the  crown  the  source  of  the  highest  blessings  that  can  i  ! 
dcricend  from  human  governments,''  and  endearing  the 
monarch  to  his  subjects.  Many  crowned  heads  have 
already  perceived  his  wisdom  and  imitated  his  example. 
The  throne  of  an  enlightened  people  is  a  dangerous  seat, 


42  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

yet  such  is  the  only  kind  of  people  that  Europe  will  soon 
contain;  and  the  question  among  monarchs  is,  whether 
thrones  shall  be  abolished  or  made  obedient  to  the  pop- 
ular will. 

It  is  enough  to  make  America  blush  to  observe  what 
despotic  governments  have  accomplished  with  a  system 
borrowed  from  ourselves.  If  republics,  standing  alone, 
can  not  endure  without  popular  education,  how  can  they 
stand  in  the  light  of  monarchies  which  outstrip  them  in 
virtue  and  intelligence  ? 

Although  education  is  rapidly  extending,  much  re- 
mains to  be  done  before  its  universal  diffusion.  Millions 
are  in  total  ignorance.  It  was  the  opinion  of  a  late  mon- 
arch, that  out  of  ten  millions  of  the  adult  population  of 
a  civilized  nation,  scarce  one  thousand  were  well  in- 
formed. If  we  limit  our  view  to  our  own  country,  we 
shall  find  much  to  be  done.  In  some  of  the  states  the 
systems  are  partial,  and  in  others  radically  defective. 
The  necessity  of  universal  education  is  obvious  to  all. 
There  are  peculiar  reasons  why  education  should  be  gen- 
eral in  our  own  country.  We  need  intelligence  to  bring 
out  the  treasures  of  our  land — a  land  which,  extending 
from  the  lakes  to  the  gulf,  and  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and 
eAjyacing  almost  every  variety  of  soil  and  climate,  offers 
un^nnbercd  valleys  and  mountains  to  the  hand  of  cul- 
ture— exhaustless  mines  and  numerous  plants  and  ani- 
mals to  the  scrutiny  of  science,  and  inestimable  resour- 
ces to  the  industry  of  freemen.  We  require  education 
3~  1  to  discharge  our  duties_  as  American  citizens.  All  the 
machinery  of  government  is  moved  by  the  hand  of  the 
^ople.  The  duties  of  juror,  of  soldier,  and  of  states- 
man fall  upon  the  ordinary  citizen;  nay,  the  highest 
functions  in  the  cabinet,  the  forum,  and  the  field  must 
be  performed  by  the  common  citizen,  because  Columbia 
knows  no  other. 


A 


GENERAL    EBUCATION.  43 

Penn,  in  his  preface  to  the  "Frame  of  Government," 
remarks,  "that  which  makes  a  good  constitution  must  keep 
it;  namely,  Ayisdom  and  virtue — qualities  which,  because 
they  descend  not  with  worldly  inheritance,  must  be  care- 
fully propagated  by  a  virtuous  education."  There  is  a 
doctrine  which  teaches  that  general  tranquillity  can  only 
be  obtained  by  general  ignorance,  and  that  therefore 
education  should  be  confined  to  the  few,  while  the  many 
are  consigned  to  degradation  and  gloom.  If  there  is  any 
one  that  asks  a  reply  to  this  argument,  let  him  go  to  the 
history  of  the  past,  to  the  dark  regions  of  barbarism,  or 
the  bright  pages  of  revelation,  to  the  indignant  hearts 
of  freemen  pulsating  around  him,torea8on,  or  to  thatvoice 
within  him  which,  though  still  and  small,  nevertheless 
speaks  as  the  voice  of  God. 
■^  Education  should  be  what  its  name  imports.  It  is  / 
\  derived  from  two  words — e  and  duco,  which  signify  to  / 
lead  out;  and  it  means  development.  There  is  a^  very  / 
great  error  prevalent  on  this  subject.  Were  we  to  con- 
sult the  general  opinion  of  parents,  tutors,  and  pupils, 
we  should  suppose  that  education  is  the  very  reverse 
of  development.  When  a  parent  directs  his  teacher  in 
the  education  of  his  children,  he  informs  him  that  he 
wishes  them  to  have  so  much  knowledge  communicated, 
say  of  grammar,  arithmetic,  Latin,  etc.  He  sends  hia 
child  to  school  as  he  does  to  the  merchant,  to  get  so 
much,  as  though  knoicledge,  like  cloth,  could  be  measured 
by  yardsticks.  The  schoolmaster  generally  provides  him- 
self with  a  stock  of  the  salable  branches  of  education, 
and  prepares  to  supply  all  orders  in  his  line.  He  regards 
his  scholars  as  the  druggist  does  his  phials.  He  takes 
their  minds  one  by  one,  and  pours  in,  pours  in,  from  his 
larger  vessel,  of  the  required  material,  as  though  it  were 
oil,  and  carefully  corks  it  up,  fearing  lest  the  least  motion 
should    spill    the    precious    article.      The    parent   upon 


44  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

receiving  his  child  acts  upon  the  same  principle,  and 
examines  the  child's  head  to  see  if  it  be  full.  TJuj^gogr 
child,  too,  always  thinks  of  education  as  of  a  process  of 
filling  up.  He  goes  into  the  school-room  as  he  would  go 
into  prison,  expecting  to  have  his  mind  confined,  and 
handled,  and  filled  up,  and  shaken  down.  Now  the  truth 
is,  that  education  is  following  out  nature,  instead  of  con- 
fining and  crossing  her.  It  consists  in  leading  out  the 
mind.  The  school-room  should  be  an  enchanted  spot, 
and  the  child  should  enter  it  as  the  candidate  for  the 
prize  entered  into  the  Olympic  games,  or  as  the  Indian 
engages  in  the  gigantic  pastimes  of  the  wilderness.  It 
is  the  arena  for  mental  sport  and  mental  struggle,  with  a 
view  to  mental  development.  An  ancient  teacher,  Leu- 
cippus,  understood  the  principle,  when  he  directed  the 
pictures  of  joy  and  gladness  to  be  hung  around  his  school- 
room. Xani  aware  that  much  useful  knowledge  is  com- 
municated in  the  halls  of  science.  T-here  is  no  branch 
of  science  which  does  not  contribute  its  share  of  valua- 
ble facts.  The  ordinary  branches  of  English  education 
derive  their  chief  value  from  being  available  to  the 
practical  purposes  of  life;  but  in  reference  to  most 
branches  of  knowledge  the  primary  object  is  the  dev 
opment,  discipline,  and  strength  of  the  intellectual  pow 
^rs.  This  principle  will  enable  us  to  determine  the 
question  so  much  agitated  in  our  own  day  in  relation  to 
the  necessity  of  the  classics  and  mathematics.  I  know 
that  the  demand  of  the  age  is  for  practical  knowledge. 
We  are  becoming  exclusively  utilitarian.  We  cultivate 
a  contempt  for  every  thing  which  has  not  a  practical 
application.  The  writings  of  several  eminent  men  in 
this  country  and  in  Europe  have  contributed  largely  to 
give  this  direction  to  public  sentiment.  The  general 
inquiry  among  parents  is,  what  will  enable  my  son  to 
make  money?     Under  the  influence  of  a  Carthaginian 


i(i| 


GENERAL    EDtrCATION.  46 

avarice  the  process  of  reasoning  seems  to  be  getting  out 
of   vogue.     There   is   scarce  any  promiscuous   assembly 
that  can  listen,  for  an  hour,  to  a  connected  chain  of 
thought.     The  only  mental  operations  for  which  our  age  t  — — 
seems  to  be  fitted,  are  arithmetical  calculations  and  the  I 
memory  of  facts.     It  is  not  surprising  that  the  (glassies  j   j>^. 
and  mathematics  are  sinking  into  neglect.  \^/' 

There  are  reasons  why  they  should  be  studied  inde- 
pendent of  their  power  to  train  the  mind.  The  latter 
are  indispensable  to  the  investigation  of  important  prob- 
lems in  the  natural  sciences;  and  the  former  are  service- 
able by  explaining  the  general  principles  of  grammar, 
enabling  the  student  to  drink  the  waters  of  the  purest 
fountains  of  classic  literature,  uncorrupted  by  translation, 
and  giving  him  clearness  and  copiousness  of  language; 
but  the  great  advantage  consists  in  the  exercise  of  ab- 
straction, attention,  and  memory.  If  we  overlook  all 
minor  advantages," and  regard  the  classics  and  mathemat- 
ics as  instruments  of  mental  training  merely,  and  if  we 
insist  that  practical  benefits  alone  should  be  regarded  in 
the  education  of  the  young,  i/ef.  may  we  show  that  they 
are  important.  When  the  physician  bids  his  dyspeptic 
patient  to  go  to  some  distant  spring,  whose  waters  are 
falsely  supposed  to  be  medicated,  does  he  act  unwisely? 
What  though  the  invalid  obtains  no  medicine  by  his 
journey,  may  he  not  be  benefited?  The  change  of  hab- 
its, of  air,  of  scenery,  of  thought,  of  diet,  and  the 
healthful  exercise  of  body,  may  co-operate  to  produce  a  cure  \ 
of  his  loathsome  malady,  and  confer  upon  him  the  high-  | 
est  blessings;  namely,  a  cheerful  viind,  and  a  sound  and  i 
L  vigorous  body.  Is  it  affirmed  that  a  man  derives  no  val- 
/uable  fact  from  the  study  of  the  classics  and  mathematics? 
%For  the  sake  of  argument  we  grant  it;  but  then  we  de- 
f  clare  that  he  derives  blessings  incomparably  superior  to  a  ' 
^  world  of  facts ;  namely,  a  strong,  active,  and  vigorous  mind. 


fi_u  e:i> 


1 


46  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


In  the  ablest  argument  to  which  I  ever  listened  against 
these    branches   of    study,    the   principal    reliance   was 
placed    upon   the   alleged    fact,    that   students  generally 
forget  their  classical  and  mathematical  acquisitions  soon 
after  they  leave  the  halls  of  science.     I  know  that  men/ 
rarely  think  of  Euclid  or  Virgil  when  they  are  engaged\   > 
in  the  ordinary  avocations  of  life,  unless  they  are  engaged  I  y 
in    professions   which    require    an    application   of    them.  \ 
But  what  of   that?    'Has  the  youth  derived  no  benefit 
from  his  books  and  diagrams?     Shall  the  man  who  has 
safely  crossed  the  ocean   dry  shod,  affirm,  when  he  has 
landed,  and  has  no  more  need  of  transportation  over  the 
waves,   that  ships   are   of  no   consequence?     The   chief 
advantage  of   books   consists   in   their  bearing  the   soul 
across  the  gulf  which  separates  ignorance  from  knowl- 
edge. 

It  is  impossible  for  an  individual,  however  negligent 
he  may  be  in  relation  to  his  collegiate  studies,  to  deprive 
himself  of  their  advantages.    "When  a  man  has  climbed 
the  ladder  whose  foot  is  on  the  ground,  and  whose  sum- 
mit  is   in    the   sky,   though   every  round    beneath    him 
should  crumble  into  dust,  he  remains  in  his  lofty  eleva- 
*  tion.     Learning  raises  a  man  into  the  region  of  imagina-'  \ 
J  tion,  taste,  and  reason ;  and  though  her  paths  may  be  /  I 
)j  sforgotten,  her  votary  remains  the  enraptured  spectator  of  \    | 
a  world  of  loveliness. 

Besides  the  instruction  to  which  we  have  referred,  the 
natural  sciences  should  receive  a  large  share  of  attention, 
particularly  philosophy,  chemistry,  botany,  physiology, 
geology.  These  sciences  are  of  especial  importance  to 
western  Americans. 

Themode7'n  languages  are  too  much  neglected  in  our 
literary  institutions  of  every  grade.  They  are  worthy  to 
be  studied  for  various  reasons,  but  chiefly  because  they 
contain  much  valuable  information  in  every  department 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  H 

of  science.  It  must  be  a  source  of  the  highest  satisfac- 
tion to  the  physician  to  read  the  works  of  Bichat,  Ma- 
gendie,  or  Duchadela,  in  his  own  tongue,  or  to  the  divine 
to  peruse  the  works  of  the  renowned  Genevese  pastor  or 
the  amiable  and  elegant  Fenelon,  undiluted  by  trans- 
lation. 

It  appears  to  me  that  special  attention  should  be  given 
to  the  arts  of  speaking  and  writing.  In  this  land,  where 
every  man  is  liable  to  be  called  to  take  an  active  part  in 
the  political  discussions  which  agitate  the  country,  and 
even  to  represent  freemen  in  the  halls  of  legislation,  it  is 
highly  important  that  the  student  be  early  taught  to 
deliver  his  sentiments  fluently  and  with  effect.  When 
this  art  shall  be  more  generally  taught,  the  counsels  of 
wisdom  will  be  less  often  overwhelmed  by  the  declama- 
tions of  imbecility.  Writing  is  no  less  important  than 
speaking.  How  often  has  the  venerable  minister,  whose 
heart  was  holy  and  whose  mind  was  rich,  perished  from 
the  earth  without  leaving  any  thing  by  which  the  world 
might  be  improved  after  his  decease !  I  have  known  the 
physician,  whose  fame  extended  from  sea  to  sea,  ridiculed 
and  pitied,  because  his  composition  was  so  slovenly  and 
ungrammatical  that  it  scarcely  conveyed  the  thoughts  he 
wished  to  communicate.  Some  of  the  ablest  practition- 
ers that  ever  attended  the  bedside  of  the  sick  have  lived 
and  died  in  the  western  country.  Had  a  Hines  or  Go- 
forth  written  the  results  of  his  enlarged  experience  and 
valuable  reflections,  the  record  would  have  blessed  the 
■world  long  after  the  tracing  hand  "had  forgotten  its 
cunning."  The  situation  of  our  western  fathers  in  their 
youth  precluded  the  acquisition  of  the  necessary  prelimi- 
nary education,  and  hence  their  valuable  knowledge  was 
limited  to  a  small  circle  within  the  generation  in  which 
they  lived,  and  their  names  will  be  forgotten  in  the  gen- 
eration which  shall  succeed.      They  may  be  excused — 


4$  EPUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

peace  to  their  ashes  I — but  if  their  sons  do  not  bless  the 
world  with  the  pen,  on  them  and  on  their  teachers  must 
rest  an  onerous  responsibility. 

I  will  not  detail  all  the  sciences  which  ought  to  enter 
into  a  course  of  instruction;  but  before  I  leave  the  sub- 
ject I  will  drop  a  remark  in  relation  to  the  study  of  po- 
litical  philosophy.  Our  own  Constitution  should  be 
studied  in  all  colleges,  seminaries,  and  common  schools. 
By  the  study  of  our  Constitution  I  do  not  mean  the  bare 
reading  or  committing  of  its  articles,  but  the  compre- 
hending of  them  by  tracing  them  to  their  origin  through 
their  development  in  the  history  of  our  country,  and  in 
the  legislation  of  the  government.  I  am  happy  to  say 
that  we  have  text-books  prepared  to  our  hand  on  this 
subject,  and  adapted  to  every  class  of  scholars.  The 
extensive  dissemination  among  the  youth  of  our  country 
of  sound  and  ample  views  of  this  great  instrument  would 
do  more  to  save  our  institutions  from  destruction  than 
any  thing  that  can  be  devised. 

It  is  not,  however,  by  a  knowledge  of  books  merely 

7   that  a  mind  can  be  properly  educated.     The  mere  book- 

^  worm  is  a  useless  animal,  and,  for  aught  that  he  does, 

/  might  as  well  have  never  lived.     He  who  would  have  a 

Imind  properly  trained,  must  acquire  a  knowledge  of  men 
and  things.  He  must  learn  wisdom  from  books  and 
vales,  mountains  and  cataracts.  The  earth  and  seas 
must  be  questioned,  and  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars  made 
to  yield  their  share  of  instruction.  The  child  should 
cultivate  acquaintance  with  nature,  and  be  taught  to  woo 
her  as  his  mistress;  and,  that  he  may  acquire  the  indis- 
pensable element  of  round-about  common  sense,  should 
be  allowed  to  have  free  collision  with  his  fellows. 

Moreover,  the  youth  should  be  made  to  emerge  from 
the  little  circle  of  self,  and  to  feel  that  he  is  an  inhabit- 
ant of  a  deep  and  beautiful  universe,  which  it  is  alike 


GENERAL    EDirCATION.  49 

his  duty  and  his  privilege  to  explore;  and  he  should  be 
brought  up,  up  from  the  little  domicile  of  his  father,  and 
made  to  realize  that  he  is  a  member  of  the  great  family 
of  God,  and  that  it  is  his  duty  to  prepare  himself  to 
bless  the  world  and  all  the  future  generations  of  man- 
kind. 

Education  should  be  more  -  than  the.  development  of\ 
the    intellect.     Man    is    a   compound    being,    and    every  ' 
element  of  his  complex  structure  requires  to  be  evolved. 
It  has  been  the  fatal  error  of  mankind,  ever  since  the 
revival  of  letters,  to  regard  the  youth  as  a  mere  intel-     fy  y 
lectual  machine.     The  wants  of  tl^e  body  have  been  over-    \*^'J 
looked.     One  of  these  four  results  have  generally  fol- 
lowed :  Either  the  individual  has  become  disgusted  with 
the  paths  that  lead  to  fame,  and  retired  before  his  frame 
sank  beneath  his  toil;  or  he  has  become  diseased  and 
his  life  has  been  imbittered  with  pain  and  anguish ;  or, 
third,  he  has  descended  to  a  premature  grave;  or,  lastly, 
he  has  become  an  idiot.     A  truant,  or  a  dunce,  or  one  / 
whose  constitution    is  as  brass,  may  live  under   college  I 
discipline;  but  woe  to  the  respectful  genius  who  submits  r 
to  college  commons  and  collegiate  restraints. 

Go  read  thejiistorj  of  Genius.  It  is  a  history  of  in-  /" 
^rmities  which  no  eye  can  trace  without  being  moistened 
with  tears.  Is  it  reasonable  to  destroy  our  usefulness  in  ', 
cultivating  our  minds?  Is  it  right  to  disregard  the  laws 
which  God  has  written  legibly  in  the  liver  and  the  lungs? 
As  well  blot  out  the  decalogue  as  treat  with  contempt 
the  handwriting  of  God  on  the  visible  temple  in  which 
his  image  dwells.  Moreover,  if  man  be  disposed  to 
run  the  hazard  of  meeting  the  frowns  of  God  for  the 
violation  of  his  physical  laws,  and  be  willing  to  perish  a 
martyr  to  fame,  is  it  the  surest  way  to  attain  the  enviable 
summit  for  which  ambition  pants? 

How  often   do  we  see  the  man   of  giant  powers  and 
5 


50  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

sanctified  feelings,  cultivated  in  the  highest  degree,  sink- 
ing into  the  grave  before  he  has  been  enabled  to  turn 
his  noble  powers  to  good  account  by  the  performance  of 
a  single  important  action !  There  is  scarce  a  cemetery 
that  does  not  read  unheeded  lessons  to  mankind  on  the 
folly  of  such  a  course.  Many  a  name  that  is  found  only 
on  the  humble  headstone  of  a  new-mown  jrrave  might 
have  been  transmitted  to  posterity  embalmed  in  unde- 
caying  glory,  had  its  possessor  regarded  the  fiat  of 
Jehovah  inscribed  in  the  constitution  of  his  earthly 
tabernacle. 

Again  :  from  a  neglect  of  the  body  there  often  results 
a  worse  consequence  than  death  itself.  The  mind  is 
influenced  by  the  body.  This  was  known  to  the  ancients, 
and  passed  into  a  proverb — mens  sana  in  corpore  sano. 
It  was  known  before  Rome  was  founded  by  one  who  said 
that  much  study  is  a  weariness  of  the  flesh.  I  have  seen 
the  mighty  intellect  gradually  weakened  by  unremitting 
toil,  till  second  childishness  and  mere  oblivion  succeeded 
Ulyssian  wisdom  and  Homeric  sublimity,  long  ere  the 
golden  bowl  was  broken  or  the  silver  cord  was  loosed. 

It  is  not  enough  to  develop  the  intellect  and  the  body. 
There  are  other  faculties  besides  the  merely  corporeal 
and  mental.  The  moral  faculties,  above  all  others,  are 
in  need  of  training.  The  physical  organs  are  the  serv- 
ants of  the  intellectual  powers,  but  both  are  subjected  to 
the  moral  and  higher  faculties.  In  consequence  of  the 
fall  the  latter  have  lost  much  of  their  power,  while  the 
mere  animal  propensities  have  acquired  preternatural 
momentum.     Hence,  the^highest  jiIy^cJLof_edjicaliaB-is 

develop  the  conscience  ,ami.. the,  affections — those  ele- 
Iments  of  man's  nature  by  which  he  bears  the  image  of 
his  Creator,  and  which,  if  properly  cultivated,  will  qualify 
\him  for  a  participation  in  the  happiness  of  heaven. 

It  is  astonishing  that  in  this  day  of  reform  it  should 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  61 

be  thought  a  strange  doctrine,  that  education  should 
embrace  the  culture  of  the  heart.  Long  since  was  the 
question  settled.  It  has  been  so  regarded  by  the  great- 
est lights  in  every  age,  from  the  last  to  that  of  Aristotle » 
Locke,  the  most  distinguished  of  modern  metaphysicians, 
says:  "I  place  virtue  as  the  first  and  most  necessary  of 
these  endowments  which  belong  to  a  man,"  etc.  Lord 
Kames  says,  ''It  appears  unaccountable  that  our  teachers 
generally  have  directed  their  instructions  to  the  head 
with  so  little  attention  to  the  heart."  "The  end  of 
learning,"  according  to  the  immortal  Milton,  "is  to  re- 
pair the  ruin  of  our  first  parents,  by  regaining  to  know. 
God  aright,  and  out  of  that  knowledge  to  love  him,  toj 
imitate  him,  to  be  like  him,  as  we  may  be  the  nearest  by 
possessing  ourselves  of  true  virtue,  which,  united  to  the 
heavenly  grace  of  faith,  makes  up  the  highest  per- 
fection." 

Many  other  illustrious  authorities  of  modern  times  might 
be  cited,  but  I  pass  to  cite  one  or  two  ancient  authorities 
Xenophon  tells  us  with  approbation  that  the  Persian.o,\ 
rather  than  make  their  children  learned,  taught  them  to! 
be  virtuous,  and  instead  of  filling  their  heads  with  fine/ 
speculations,  taught   them   honesty,  and   sincerity,  and\ 
resolution,  and  endeavored  to  make  them  wise  and  val-| 
iant,  just  and  temperate.     Lycurgus,  in  the  Constitution'. 
of  the  Lacaedemonian  Commonwealth,  took  less  care  about 
the  learning  than  the  lives  and  manners  of  the  children. 
Aristotle   surveyed   man   thoroughly.     He  was   a   great 
mind,  perhaps  the  greatest  the  world  has  ever  produced. 
It  delights  us  to  think  of  him.     It  makes  us  feel  that  we 
belong  to  a  noble  race,  and  that  man  can  hold  up  his 
head,  even  when  introduced  into  the  presence  of  super- 
nal beings.     The  name  of  Aristotle  will  be  pronounced 
with  reverence  long  as  the  noblest  associations  of  genius, 
virtue,  and  morality  can  reach  the  human  heart.     Philip 


52  EDUCATIONAL    ES8AT8. 

of  Macedon,  upon  the  birth  of  Alexander,  wrote  to  Aris- 
totle, saying  that  he  thanked  the  gods  not  so  much  that 
they  had  given  him  a  son  as  that  they  had  given  him  at 
a  time  when  Aristotle  might  be  his  instructor.  Such 
was  the  veneration  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  greatest 
minds  of  his  age.  He  ruled  the  empire  of  mind  with 
undisputed  sway  for  nearly  fourteen  centuries,  and  even 
now  the  chief  acquisitions  of  the  Spanish  scholar  consist 
of  the  logic  and  philosophy  of  Aristotle.  This  giant 
mind  lifted  the  vail  which  hides  eternity  from  mortal 
vision,  and  beheld,  though  dimly,  its  realities — he  sa\i 
an  immortal  nature  in  man,  and  sought  to  frame  his  edu- 
cation so  as  to  suit  it. 

Who  does  not  feel  that  there  is  within  him  more  than 
thought  and  sensation?  Who  does  not  permit  his  mind 
to  go  forth  to  the  world  to  come,  and  inquire  within  him, 
how  shall  I  travel  up  through  the  unwasting  ages  before 
me? 

The  world  will  soon  be  educated.  It  has  been  said 
that  a  similar  progress  may  be  traced  in  the  general  mind 
to  what  we  observe  in  the  individual.  The  world  was 
once  an  infant,  tossed  upon  the  nurse's  arms — it  was 
hushed  with  a  lullaby,  "pleased  with  a  rattle,  tickled 
with  a  straw,"  and  next  she  sallied  forth  to  gather  flow- 
ers on  the  lawn,  and  gambol  over  the  mead,  and  next  she 
could  be  seen  creeping  like  a  snail  unwillingly  to  school; 
but  now  the  nations  of  the  earth  give  signs  that  the 
human  mind  has  passed  the  periods  of  infancy  and  juve- 
nescence;  that  upon  it  are  coming  the  marks  of  sobriety 
and  maturity,  the  spirit  of  inquiry,  of  thought,  of  ac- 
tion. The  croaker  cries  that  the  world  is  degenera- 
ting. Is  it  pride,  or  ambition,  or  vanity,  or  ignorance 
which  induces  me  to  say  that  he  knows  not  whereof  he 
affirms;  that  the  world,  take  it  altogether,  has  more  of 
majesty  in  her  form,  of  grace  in  her  mien,  of  vigor  in 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  53 

her  footsteps,  of  fire  in  her  eye,  of  passion  in  her  heart, 
of  energy  in  her  mind,  than  she  ever  had  before?  True, 
her  old  garments  may  cling  to  her,  but  she  has  outgrown 
them ;  and  if  she  wear  them  it  is  because  of  her  poverty. 
Her  old  nurse  may  compel  her  to  rattle  her  childish  play- 
things, but  when  she  does  so  she  feels  ashamed — she  is 
no  longer  charmed  with  the  empty  sound. 

A  spirit  has  gone  forth  among  the  nations  which  de- 
mands universal  education.  It  comes  upon  the  earth 
like  the  atmosphere  we  breathe,  enveloping  land  and  sea. 
It  binds  like  the  principle  that  wheels  the  planets  in 
their  orbits.  Tyrants  tremble,  thrones  bow,  armies  stand 
still  before  it.  Man  will  be  educated.  On  this  point  the 
extremities  of  the  world  meet — antipodes  feel  in  unison — 
one  hemisphere  speaks  and  the  other  answers.  Man 
may  rise  against  it — avarice  may  utter  its  maledictions — 
superstition  may  rail — selfishness  may  exclaim,  interested 
nobility  condemn;  but  it  comes.  The  decree  has  gone 
forth  that  man  shall  be  enlightened.  It  will  not  be  re- 
voked. It  is  the  voice  of  nature — it  is  the  voice  of  God. 
Vain  is  resistance — vain  the  arm  of  law — vain  the  scep- 
ter of  sovereignty — vain  the  barriers  of  caste.  They 
will  be  swept  like  the  dike  before  the  tide  when  a  nation 
is  ingulfed,  or  the  rampart  before  the  whirlwind  that  has 
uprooted  the  forest. 

If  man  is  to  be  educated  he  is  to  be  free.  Freedom . 
has  always  kept  pace  with  the  progress  of  education. 
Egypt  was  once  free,  at  least  so  far  as  she  was  ed^cated. 
She  had,  even  then,  many  slaves,  and  so  many  untutored 
sons.  Greece  was  once  free;  and  why?  Was  it  because 
her  soil  was  fertile,  and  her  valleys  and  her  streams 
lovely,  or  because  the  fresh  breezes  of  the  ^gean  or  Io- 
nian seas  fanned  her?  No!  Her  scenes  are  as  charming 
now  as  they  were  then.  Greece  was  once  free,  but  it  was 
when  the  powers  of  her  body  and  mind  were  cultivated — 


54  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

when  imagination,  memory,  taste,  and  feeling — all  that 
was  bright  or  beautiful,  foul  or  terrific,  and  magnificent 
or  lovely  in  wondrous,  heaven-born,  exiled  man,  enjoyed 
an  ample  development  and  a  vigorous  life.  Fix  your  eye 
upon  that  colossal  power  issuing  from  the  east,  threaten- 
ing to  tame  the  spirit  of  Greece  and  reduce  her  to  slavery, 
by  inflicting  upon  her  sons  a  summary  and  awful  ven- 
geance for  an  insult  offered  to  the  scepter  of  Darius.  It 
reaches  to  the  heavens,  and  casts  a  shadow  upon  a  hemi- 
sphere. It  rocks  the  earth  beneath  its  tread,  and  thi-eat- 
ens  to  crush  a  nation  at  every  footfall.  How  can  a  few 
free  cities  in  Greece  resist?  Will  they  not  tamely  sub- 
mit without  a  struggle  ?  Nay.  The  husband  collects  his 
family  around  him,  bids  his  little  ones  prove  worthy  of 
their  father  after  he  shall  have  died  for  his  country, 
directs  his  wife,  after  the  battle,  to  marry  a  man  who 
shall  not  dishonor  her  first  husband,  and  marches  to  meet 
the  foe.  The  mother  calls  her  son  from  the  field,  and, 
suppressing  her  emotions,  sternly  says,  "Take  this  shield 
and  go  forth  to  battle.  Bring  it  back,  or  be  brought 
back  upon  it."  Now  turn  your  eye  to  the  pass  of  Ther- 
mopylae. See  that  little  band  of  three  hundred  Spartans 
resisting,  for  three  successive  days,  the  Persiati  host  of 
five  millions;  and  when  at  last,  attacked  rear  and  front, 
they  proceed  to  glorious  death,  see  how  they  cut  down 
the  ranks  of  the  enemy  as  reapers  in  harvest  mow  the 


srain 


golden 

;  Now  direct  your  attention  to  Salamis — mark  the  im 
/  mense  fleet  of  Xerxes  blocking  up  a  few  Grecian  vessel* 
/  in  that  beautiful  bay,  determined  to  crush  them  at  a 
blow.  One  thousand  Persian  vessels  float  upon  the  waves, 
and  cast  a  bright  reflection  upon  the  waters  from  their 
glittering  prows.  Mark  those  few  Grecian  ships  sailing 
gracefully  down  the  bay;  see!  they  station  themselves 
prow  to  prow  against  the  barbarians — they  commence  the 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  55 

battle — they  plunge  into  the  sides  of  the  veering  foe; 
they  seize,  they  board,  they  grapple  with  the  enemy  body 
to  body.  And  now  the  fight  is  over — the  armament  of 
Xerxes  is  routed  and  scattered — the  maritime  power  of 
Persia  is  broken,  and  G-reece  is  free.  Why  this  indomi- 
table spirit — this  deathless  love  of  freedom?  Greece 
was  then  educated.  That  was  the  period  when  the  song 
of  her  bard  was  as  the  song  of  the  nightingale — when  the 
voice  of  her  orator  was  as  the  voice  of  thunder,  and  the 
whole  mind  of  the  nation  breathed  an  atmosphere  of 
freshness  and  fragrance. 

Rome  was  once  free — once  mistress  of  the  world. 
From  Gaul  and  Britain  to  Asia's  remotest  plains,  she 
pushed  her  conquering  march,  and  chained  the  subjuga- 
ted nations,  but  she  herself  was  free.  Why?  Her  mind 
was  developed  and  active.  Wisdom  sat  in  her  councils, 
eloquence  lingered  on  her  lips.  Her  legislation  was  for 
the  race — her  literature  for  all  time.  Her  poetry  fell 
upon  the  soul  soft  and  sweet  as  kisses  from  the  lips  of 
love.  Her  oratory  vibrated  upon  the  breeze  as  the  notes 
of  the  harp,  swept  by  an  angel's  hand. 

Trace  the  history  of  modern  Europe,  and  you  will  per- 
ceive that  rational  liberty  has  generally  kept  pace  with 
the  progress  of  general  education. 

Look  at  your  own  free  country — the  admiration  of  all 
lands,  the  glory  of  the  earth. 

Who  were  those,  that,  fleeing  from  persecution  in  the 
old  world,  sought  an  asylum  in  the  wilderness  of  the  new? 
They  were  the  reading,  thinking  Puritans,  who,  on  their 
landing,  laid  the  broad  foundations  of  colleges,  acade- 
mies, and  schools.  Who  first  rose  against  British  op- 
pression on  our  own  shores  ?  Who  first  raised  the  stand- 
ard of  liberty?  whose  swords  first  leaped  from  their 
scabbards  for  its  defense  ?  whose  hearts  first  poured  forth 
their  blood  around   the   soil   in   which   it  was   planted? 


i$  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

Plains  of  Concord  and  Lexington,  tell  us!  Hights  of 
Bunker,  speak !  Who  first  kindled  the  spirit  of  the  Rev- 
olution all  over  the  land,  and  kept  the  flames  of  public 
indignation  burning  till  the  Revolution  was  consumma- 
ted ?  The  people  who  had  been  reared  in  temples  of  sci- 
ence, and  who  devised  and  put  into  execution  the  first 
system  of  general  education  the  world  ever  saw. 

The^augel  jof  Liberty  presses  close  upon  the  heels  of 
the  angel  of  Light — and  no  sooner  does  the  latter  blow 
his  trumpet  than  the  blast  of  the  former  breaks  upon  the 
breeze.  The  education  of  the  world  will  as  surely  be 
accompanied  by  its  freedom  as  daylight  accompanies  the 
sun.  Let  a  man  know  and  feel  what  are  his  rights  and 
capacities,  and  he  is  no  longer  to  be  a  slave.  He  will 
govern  himself.  A  still  small  voice  speaks  to  every 
bosom  in  the  rational  creation,  bidding  it  be  free — telling 
it  to  enjoy  the  rights  which  Heaven  has  conferred,  and 
to  acknowledge  no  distinctions  but  such  as  God  has 
ordained. 

I  do  not  say  that  monarchical  governments  are  unneces- 
sary when  the  public  mind  is  ignorant.  I  think  the 
world's  history  shows  that  efforts  to  place  freedom  in 
advance  of  intelligence  have  proved  utter  failures.  When 
a  nation  is  untutored,  a  visible  and  imposing  embodiment 
of  law,  before  which  the  multitude  can  tremble  and  bow, 
may  be  a  useful  auxiliary  to  government;  a  Church  Es- 
tablishment may  be  proper  to  raise  up  advocates  of  truth; 
a  nobility  may  be  requisite  to  secure  an  intelligent  legis- 
lature; a  standing  army  may  be  necessary  for  the  national 
defense :  but  once  let  a  people  be  educated,  and  they  are 
themselves  competent  to  all  these  purposes.  The  child 
needs  not  the  toy  when  the  season  of  manhood  arrives; 
the  youth  escaped  from  his  minority  will  dispense  with 
the  services  of  his  guardian. 

It  is  said  that  in  proportion  as  a  nation  becomes  en- 


GENERAL    EDUCATION  57 

lightened  her  distrust  in  her  government  will  diminish — 
that  she  will  perceive  the  beneficial  tendencies  of  gov- 
ernmental regulations — that  the  monarch  will  become 
wise  with  his  people,  and  will  correct  abuses  and  study 
public  prosperity  and  peace — that  crowns,  and  scepters, 
and  nobles  may  be  made  instruments  of  blessing  to  com- 
munity. To  all  this  there  is  one  answer :  The  wise  man 
will  not  commit  to  another  hand  rights  which  he  can  as 
well  exercise  himself;  or  trust  to  another  a  duty  which 
he  can  as  well  perform  without  extraneous  aid. 

The  spread  of  knowledge  will  but  extend  evil  if  it  be 
not  accompanied  with  religion.  Knowledge  is  power.  It 
is  so  to  the  saint  and  so  to  the  sinner;  it  is  to  the  devil 
what  it  is  to  the  angel.  In  itself  it  is  neither  good  nor  / 
evil — a  blessing  nor  a  curse;  but  like  the  sword,  it  derives 
its  character  from  the  direction  which  its  possessor  gives 
it.  A  sword  in  the  hands  of  a  demon,  infernal  or  incar- 
nate, would  be  an  unmitigated  curse;  in  the  hands  of  an 
angel  of  light,  it  would  be  an  undeviating  blessing.  The 
one  would  employ  it  to  destroy,  the  other  to  save. 

Increase  the  power  of  any  rational  being  before  he  is 
able  wisely  to  employ  it,  and  you  increase  his  sin,  and, 
by  consequence,  his  misery.  He  is  active;  he  will  em- 
ploy whatever  of  capacity  he  possesses.  The  more  his 
capacity  to  do,  if  he  do  evil,  the  more  his  transgression ; 
the  greater  his  sin,  the  greater  his  misery.  A  poor  Ger- 
man declared  he  would  not  educate  his  family,  because 
as  soon  as  his  eldest  son  learned  to  write  he  counterfeited 
his  father's  name.  He  was  resolved  that  if  his  children 
were  inclined  to  do  evil,  their  ability  should  be  limited — 
they  should  be  rascals  upon  a  small  scale.  Experiments 
upon  an  extensive  field  in  some  of  the  nations  of  Europe 
have  demonstrated  that  crime,  instead  of  diminishing, 
actually  increases  with  the  extension  of  education,  unless 
that  education  be  accompanied  with  religious  training. 


5S  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS.  , 

This  is  precisely  what  might  be  expected.  The  evils 
•which  deluge  the  ■world  are  not  to  be  traced  to  the  intel- 
lect— their  fountains  are  in  the  bosom.  "A  greater  than 
Solomon  has  said,"  from  within,  out  of  the  heart,  proceed 
"evil  thoughts,  adulteries,  fornications,  thefts,  false  wit- 
ness, blasphemies."  This  is  the  philosophy  of  truth — 
the  philosophy  to  which  every  hour  of  the  world's  expe- 
rience adds  confirmation — the  philosophy  of  God. 

The  heart  is  the  seat  of  the  moving  powers.  It  is  to 
the  man  what  the  pilot  is  to  the  vessel — it  gives  him  his 
direction;  the  intellectual  powers  are  the  mere  ma- 
chinery. How  vain  is  the  hope  of  the  world's  perfection 
by  means  of  its  education !  Let  knowledge  diffuse  its  rays 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth — will  sensuality,  and  avarice, 
and  ambition,  and  jealousy,  and  vanity,  and  pride,  and 
unbelief  be  destroyed,  or  even  reduced  ?  Nay,  they  will 
live  and  act;  and  act,  too,  in  a  broader  field,  with  a 
keener  eye,  with  a  deeper  wisdom,  with  a  more  refined 
art,  and  work  out  with  more  terrific  enginery  their 
desolating  effects.  Am  I  summoned  to  the  ancient 
sa^e£  for  proofs  that  education  has  a  controlling  influence 
over  the  passions?  To  ancient  sages  let  us  go.  I  am 
willing  to  search  their  caves,  and  groves,  and  public  ways, 
and  private  walks,  as  with  a  lighted  candle.  I  know  that 
the  closer  the  examination  the  more  multiplied  the  evi- 
dences that  my  opinion  is  well  founded.  They  taught 
Avhat  they  did  not  practice.  Their  wisdom  served  but  to 
retino  their  depravity  and  conceal  its  workings.  The 
fountains  of  iniquity  were  calmer  but  more  profound — 
the  streams  flowed  in  narrower  but  deeper  channels. 

There  is  one  apparent  exception — the  son  of  Sophro- 
niscus.  There  is  no  difiiculty,  however,  in  accounting  for 
his  superiority  in  goodness  as  well  as  wisdom,  by  consid- 
ering that  the  true  light  enlighteneth  every  man  that 
Cometh  into  the  world.     A  ray  from  the  eternal  throne 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  59 

fell  upon  his  eyeball — lie  pursued  it — and  shall  we  deny- 
that  it  led  him  to  that  Fountain  where  sin  is  washed 
away? 

Am  I  referred  to  modern  examples  of  distinguished 
greatness  unaccompanied  with  religious  feeling?  I  at- 
tend to  the  reference,  prefacing,  however,  that  we  must 
be  careful  to  distinguish  between  the  effects  of  other 
influences  and  those  of  purely  intellectual  education. 
Lord  Bacon  will  furnish  us  with  an  example  of  splendid 
endowments,  united  with  varied  learning.  What  was 
the  influence  of  his  peerless  intellect  upon  his  corrupt 
heart?  Only  to  make  its  workings  more  refined  and 
more  destructive.  Lord  Byron  is  an  example  of  surpass- 
ing greatness  in  an  another  department  of  intellectual 
exertion.  And  what  effect  did  his  education  have  upon 
his  character  and  happiness?  The  poet  has  expressed 
it.  He  "was  a  weary,  worn,  and  wretched  thing — a 
scorched,  and  desolate,  and  blasted  soul — a  gloomy  wil- 
derness of  dying  thought."  It  is  admitted  that  litera- 
ture has  a  tendency  to  refine  the  taste,  to  open  purer 
fountains  of  enjoyment  than  the  senses,  to  exert  a  favor- 
able influence  upon  the  habits,  to  humanize  and  soften 
the  character.  But  let  not  these  tendencies  be  trusted 
too  far;  it  may  be  doubted  whether  it  is  not  the  sur- 
rounding influence  of  Christianity,  and  not  the  intellect- 
ual habits  of  the  educated,  or  the  rank  they  hold  in 
society,  that  lifts  them  above  the  brutal  criminalities  of 
the  lower  classes.  It  is  the  philosophy  of  the  Bible,  that 
each  situation  in  life  has  its  peculiar  temptations.  "  Give 
me  neither  poverty  nor  riches,  lest  I  grow  poor  and  steal, 
and  take  the  name  of  my  God  in  vain;  or  lest  I  grow 
rich,  and  deny  thee,  and  say,  who  is  the  Lord."  Theft 
and  blasphemy  are  the  crimes  of  poverty,  and  pride  and 
infidelity  those  of  riches.  Who  shall  say  that  the  heart 
of  Byron  or  of  Bacon  is  less  abhorrent  in  the  eyes  of 


60  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

God,  or  less  destructive  in  its  influences  upon  man, 
than  that  of  the  poor  sensualist,  whose  excesses  are 
"within  the  narrow  circle  of  a  few  feet?  The  latter  de- 
stroys himself;  the  former  works  the  eternal  undoing  of 
millions  besides  himself. 

You  may  educate  your  soul  without  religion,  but  you 
will  only  refine  your  misery.  You  may  polish  your  speech 
without  grace,  but  you  will  only  sweeten  the  food  of  the 
undying  worm.  You  may  render  brilliant  the  flames  that 
burn  within  your  bosom,  but  it  will  be  only  to  add  brill- 
iancy to  the  conflagrations  of  earth  and  hell.  Am  I 
challenged  to  a  comparison  of  educated  and  uneducated 
states?  I  accept  the  challenge.  Admitting,  for  argu- 
ment's sake,  that  some  cities  of  antiquity,  where  refine- 
ment was  found,  were  free  from  grosser  vices,  it  may  be 
asked,  was  not  their  superiority  in  moral  character  owing 
to  their  religion  ?  For  though  paganism  is  false,  it  has  a 
substratum  of  truth,  and  its  influences  in  restraining  the 
multitude  are  potent.  But  we  challenge  Athens,  or  Cor- 
inth, or  Rome,  in  her  attenuated  refinement,  to  escape 
from  the  charge  of  criminality,  as  brutal  as  disgraced  the 
darkest  barbarism  that  ever  found  a  place  on  earth. 

Does  more  recent  history  present  greater  difiiculties  to 
our  hypothesis?  No;  we  rest  the  question  on  an  appeal 
to  the  vices  of  the  higher  walks  of  life,  and  to  the  his- 
tory of  revolutionary  France.  Let  the  world  tremble 
when  she  reflects,  that  education  will  enact  the  scenes 
of  such  a  revolution  all  over  the  earth,  unless  religion 
accompany  it. 

Look  around  you.  The  world  is  arming;  nations  inert 
for  ages  are  arousing  their  latent  energies,  bursting  their 
bonds,  enlisting  under  gallant  leaders,  and  preparing  for 
a  struggle  such  as  has  never  before  been  witnessed  on  the 
globe.  She  is  calling  the  powers  of  nature  to  her  aid. 
That  army  must  either  enter   into  the  service  of   the 


GENERAL    EDUCATION.  61 

prince  of  darkness,  or  enlist  under  the  banner  of  the 
King  of  kings. 

The  Church  must  determine  the  world's  course.  She 
may,  by  purifying  the  fountains  of  instruction,  give  a 
righteous  direction  to  enlightened  intellect;  or  by  neg- 
lecting them,  leave  infidelity  to  poison  them  all,  and 
lead  out  perverted  powers  to  the  shock  of  battle  with  the 
Lord  of  hosts. 


82  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


rriHIS  is  properly  styled  a  utilitarian  age;  for  the  in- 
-*-  quiry,  '' What  profit?"  meets  us  every-where.  It  has 
even  entered  the  temples  of  learning,  and  attempted  to 
thrust  out  important  studies,  because  their  immediate 
connection  with  hard  rtioney  profits  can  not  be  demon- 
strated. There  is  one  spot,  however,  into  which  it  has 
not  so  generally  intruded  itself — the  female  academy — 
the  last  refuge  of  the  fine  arts  and  the  fine  follies. 
Thither  young  ladies  are  too  frequently  sent  merely  to 
learn  how  to  dress  tastefully,  walk  gracefully,  play  upon 
the  piano,  write  French,  and  make  waxen  plums  and 
silken  spiders — all  pretty,  surely;  but  why  not  inquire, 
What  profit?  But  I  take  my  pen  in  hand,  not  to  utter  a 
dissertation  on  female  education,  but  to  insist  that  young 
ladies  be  taught  chemistry.  They  will  be  thereby  better 
qualified  to  superintend  domestic  affairs,  guard  against 
many  accidents  to  which  households  are  subject,  and, 
perhaps,  be  instrumental  in  saving  life.  AVe  illus- 
trate the  last  remark  by  reference  merely  to  toxicology. 
The  strong  acids,  such  as  the  nitric,  muriatic,  and  sul- 
phuric, are  virulent  poisons,  yet  frequently  used  in  med- 
icine and  the  mechanic  arts.  Suppose  a  child,  in  his 
rambles  among  the  neighbors,  enter  a  cabinet-shop  and 
find  a  saucer  of  aqua  fortis — nitric  acid — upon  the  work- 
bench, and  in  his  sport  suddenly  seize  and  drink  a  por- 
tion of  it.  He  is  conveyed  honie  in  great  agony.  The 
physician  is  sent  for;  but  ere  he  arrives  the  child  is  a 


USESOFCHEMISTRY.  63 

corpse.  Now,  as  the  mother  presses  the  cold  clay  to 
her  breast  and  lips  for  the  last  time,  how  will  her 
anguish  be  aggravated  to  know  that  in  her  medicine- 
chest,  or  drawer,  was  some  calcined  magnesia,*  which, 
if  timely  administered,  would  have  surely  saved  her 
lovely,  perchance  her  first  and  only  boy.  0,  what  are 
all  the  bouquets  and  fine  dresses  in  the  world  to  her, 
compared  with  such  knowledge  ! 

Take  another  case.  A  husband  returning  home  one 
summer  afternoon,  desires  some  acidulous  drink.  Open- 
ing a  cupboard,  he  sees  a  small  box  labeled  '*  salts  of 
lemon,"  and  making  a  solution  of  this,  he  drinks  it 
freely.  Presently  he  feels  distress,  sends  for  his  wife, 
and  ascertains  that  he  has  drunk  a  solution  of  oxalic 
acid,  which  she  has  procured  to  take  stains  from  linen. 
The  physician  is  sent  for;  but  the  unavoidable  delay  at- 
tending his  arrival  is  fatal.  When  he  arrives,  perhaps 
he  sees  upon  the  very  table  on  which  the  weeping  widow 
bows  her  head,  a  piece  of  chalk,f  which,  if  given  in 
time,  would  have  certainly  prevented  any  mischief  from 
the  poison. 

Corrosive  sublimate  is  the  article  generally  used  by 
domestics  to  destroy  the  vermin  which  sometimes  infest 
our  couches.  A  solution  of  it  is  left  upon  the  chamber 
floor  in  the  teacup,  when  the  domestics  go  down  to  dine, 
leaving  the  children  up  stairs  at  play:  the  infant  crawls  to 
the  teacup  and  drinks.  Now,  what  think  you  would  be 
the  mother's  joy,  if,  having  studied  chemistry,  she 
instantly  called  to  recollection  the  well-ascertained  fact. 


'■'Tliis  is  the  antidote  for  all  the  acids  named.  It  forms  with  them 
innocent  neutral  salts.  Calcined  magnesia  is  better  than  the  carbonate, 
because  the  carbonate  might  occasion  an  unpleasant  distension  of  the 
stomach.    If  magnesia  is  not  at  hand,  some  other  alkali  will  answer. 

fChalkis  carbonate  of  lime.  Oxalic  acid  will  unite  with  the  lime,  and 
make  oxalate  of  lime,  au  insoluble,  and,  therefore,  inert  compound. 


64  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

that  there  is  in  the  hen's  nest*  an  antidote  to  this 
poison  ?  She  sends  for  some  eggs,  and  breaking  them, 
administers  the  whites — albumen.  Her  child  recovers, 
and  she  weeps  for  joy.  Talk  not  to  her  of  novels.  One 
little  book  of  natural  science  has  been  worth  to  her  more 
than  all  the  novels  in  the  world. 

Physicians  in  the  country  rarely  carry  scales  with  them 
to  weigh  their  prescriptions.  They  administer  medicine 
by  guess,  from  a  teaspoon  or  the  point  of  a  knife. 
Suppose  a  common  case.  A  physician  in  a  hurry  leaves 
an  overdose  of  tartar  emetic — generally  the  first  pre- 
scription used  in  cases  of  bilious  fever — and  pursues  his 
way  to  see  another  patient  ten  miles  distant.  The  med- 
icine is  duly  administered,  and  the  man  is  poisoned. 
When  the  case  becomes  alarming,  one  messenger  is  dis- 
patched for  the  doctor,  and  another  to  call  in  the  neigh- 
bors to  see  the  sufferer  die.  Now,  there  is  in  a  canister 
in  the  kitchen  cupboard,  and  on  a  tree  that  grows  by  the 
door,  a  sure  means  of  saving  the  sick  man  from  the 
threatened  death.  A  strong  decoction  of  young  hyson 
tea,  oak  bark,  or  any  other  astringent  vegetable,  will 
change  tartar  emetic  into  an  innocuous  compound. 

Vessels  of  copper  often  give  rise  to  poisoning.  Though 
this  metal  undergoes  but  little  change  in  a  dry  atmos- 
phere, it  is  rusted  if  moisture  be  present,  and  its  surface 
becomes  lined  with  a  green  substance — carbonate  of  the 
peroxyd  of  copper — a  poisonous  compound. 

It  has  sometimes  happened  that  a  mother  has,  for 
want  of  this  knowledge,  poisoned  her  family.  Sourcrout 
that  had  been  permitted  to  stand  some  time  in  a  copper 
vessel,  has  produced  death  in  a  few  hours.     Cooks  some- 


'' Corrosive  sublimate  is  a  deuto  chlorid  of  mercury.  Albumen  at- 
tracts one  portion  of  its  chlorine,  and  reduces  it  to  the  proto  chlorid, 
which  is  calomel. 


USESOFCHEMISTRY.  65 

times  permit  pickles  to  remain  in  copper  vessels,  that 
they  may  acquire  a  rich  green  color,  which  they  do  by 
absorbing  poison.*  Families  have  often  been  thrown 
into  disease  by  eating  such  dainties,  and  may  have  died, 
in  some  instances,  without  suspecting  the  cause.  That 
lady  has  certainly  some  reason  to  congratulate  herself 
upon  her  education,  if,  under  such  circumstances,  she 
knows  that  pickles,  rendered  green  by  verdigris,  are 
poisonous,  and  that  Orfila  has  proved  albumen  to  be 
the  proper  antidote  to  them. 

Lead — often  used  for  drinking  vessels  and  conduits — 
if,  when  in  contact  with  water,  it  is  exposed  to  the  air, 
yields  carbonate  of  lead — the  white  lead  of  the  shops. 
It  is  surprising  that  the  neutral  salts  in  water  retard  this 
process,  and  that  some  salts  seem  to  prevent  it  entirely: 
hence,  the  water  of  Edinburgh  may  be  safely  used, 
though  kept  in  leaden  cisterns;  and  the  water  of  the 
Ohio  is  conveyed  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  city  with 
impunity  in  leaden  pipes.  Nevertheless,  salts  of  lead 
may  be  formed  under  circumstances  not  unlikely  to 
occur.  Moreover,  the  acetate  of  lead  is  often  used  to 
sweeten  wine;  and  the  lady  acquainted  with  the  affini 
ties  of  the  metal,  and  the  properties  and  antidotes  of  its 
compounds,  may  have  occasion  for  her  information. 
She  will  be  able  by  means  of  articles  always  at  hand, 
such  as  epsom  salts  or  glauber  salts,  to  render  the  poi- 
sonous salts  of  lead  inert.  For  the  soluble  sulphates 
brought  in  contact  with  them,  will  always  give  rise  to 
the  formation  of  the  sulphate  of  lead,  which  is  insoluble, 
and  without  any  pernicious  properties. 

Illustrations  might  be  very  readily  multiplied ;  but  our 
space  forbids.  We  conclude  by  saying,  that  poisons 
always  produce  secondary  effects,  which  antidotes,  how- 


'■*  Acetic  acid,  with  oxyd  of  copper,  constitutes  verdigris. 

6 


^  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ever  perfect,  do  not  prevent.  In  all  cases  of  poisoning, 
therefore,  the  administration  of  antidotes  should  not  pre- 
vent the  calling  of  a  doctor. 


POISONING.  0 


TTTE  did  not  intend  to  give  a  dissertation  on  toxicology 
'"  when  we  penned  our  article,  "Uses  of  Chemistry," 
but  merely  to  give  illustrations  of  the  importance  of 
chemical  science.  We  omitted  arsenic,  because  the  anti- 
dote is  not  so  generally  at  hand  as  in  the  cases  we  men- 
tioned. For  a  long  time  no  antidote  was  known ;  but, 
within  a  few  years,  an  excellent  one  has  been  announced 
by  some  chemists  of  Gottingen.  It  is  the  hydrated  per- 
oxyd  of  iron,  an  article  which  ought  to  be  kept  in  the 
drug-shops  every-where.  The  process  for  making  it  may 
be  found  in  any  of  the  recent  works  on  pharmacy,  or 
materia  medica.*  If  copperas — sulphate  of  iron — which 
has  become  red  by  exposure  to  the  air — that  is,  has  be- 
come a  persulphate  by  absorbing  oxygen  from  the  atmos- 
phere— can  be  obtained,  the  process  is  easy;  namely, 
add  water  of  ammonia  and  decant;  the  ammonia  will 
unite  with  the  sulphuric  acid,  and  precipitate  the  per- 
oxyd,  which  should  be  kept  in  a  moist  state.  It  is 
amazing  that  we  do  not  hear  of  more  instances  of  acci- 
dental death  from  this  virulent  poison.  Indeed,  when 
we  consider  that  it  is  often  used  for  killing  rats,  dogs,  etc.; 
that  it  is  not  unfrequently  employed  in  medicine — the 
"fowler's  solution"  of  the  physician,  and  the  "tasteless 
ague  drop"  of  the  quack,  are  solutions  of  arsenic — that 
the  preparations  used  by  cancer  doctors  generally   owe 

^See  Harrison's  Materia  Medica,  vol  i,  p.  356. 


68  EDUCATIONALESSAYS. 

their  efficacy  to  this  mineral;  that  it  may  be  mistaken, 
in  the  form  in  which  it  is  generally  found — that  of 
acid — for  flour  or  hair  powder,  and  that  its  taste  is  not 
unpleasant,  we  can  scarce  refrain  from  believing  that 
many  instances  of  death,  from  this  article,  have  occurred 
which  have  been  traced  to  other  causes.  The  material 
of  the  drug-shops,  improperly  labeled  "cobalt,"  is  a 
crude  arsenic — probably  an  oxyd.  It  resembles  very 
closely  the  sulphureted  or  crude  antimony,  frequently 
given  to  horses  to  make  their  coats  sleek,  and  has  been 
sold  for  it  by  mistake  to  the  destruction  of  many  fine 
horses.  The  same  article  is  sold  as  "G-erman  Fly  Pow- 
der," to  destroy  the  troublesome  insects  that  infest  our 
houses  in  summer.  "When  so  used,  it  is  generally  dis- 
solved in  sweetened  water,  and  placed  in  some  accessible 
position  as  if  to  tempt  children  to  destroy  themselves. 
Perhaps,  if  the  article  were  called  by  its  right  name,  the 
dangerous  and  useless  practice  would  be  abandoned. 

We  might  have  alluded  to  a  certain  aerial  poison  which 
has  caused  much  destruction  to  human  life,  especially  in 
this  region,  where  the  earth,  in  many  places,  seems  to  be 
saturated  with  it.  We  refer  to  carbonic  acid,  which, 
owing  to  its  greater  specific  gravity,  is  generally  found  in 
excavations,  caves,  and  the  lower  stratum  of  the  atmos- 
phere. There  are  many  points  in  which,  if  a  deep  exca- 
vation be  made,  it  is  filled  with  this  gas  in  less  than 
twenty-four  hours:  hence,  it  is  proper,  before  descending 
into  deep  wells,  or  shafts,  to  let  down  a  lighted  candle, 
which  will  be  extinguished  if  the  gas  be  present.  The 
question  arises,  how  are  we  to  displace  this  gas  after  hav- 
ing ascertained  its  presence?  There  are  two  ways  of 
doing  this — absorption  and  agitation.  The  first  may  be 
effected  by  throwing  down  water;  the  second  by  mechan- 
ical means,  such  as  letting  down  and  drawing  up  bundles 
of  straw,  or  throwing  down  burning  straw,  which,  though 


POISONING.  ff 

it  will  not  consume  the  gas,  will  heat  it  so  as  to  create  an 
upward  current. 

Carbonic  acid  is  produced  by  combustion,  respiration, 
and  fermentation,  processes  every-where  going  on;  and 
it  is  astonishing  that  it  was  not  discovered  till  within  a 
few  years.  The  celebrated  metaphysician,  John  Locke, 
when,  on  a  visit  to  France,  he,  for  the  first  time,  saw  a 
bottle  of  champagne  uncorked,  immediately  started  the 
question  whether  the  air  emitted  was  the  same  as  the 
atmosphere.  Had  he  not  been  devoted  to  metaphysical 
researches,  he  would  probably  have  soon  discovered  the 
difference.  It  is  no  less  astonishing  that,  notwithstand- 
ing its  wide  diffusion,  people  in  general  are  not  even  now 
acquainted  with  its  sources  and  properties.  We  once 
called  upon  an  intelligent  gentleman,  who  was  confined 
on  account  of  an  accident,  and  who  complained  of  symp- 
toms to  him  altogether  unaccountable.  He  was  lying  in 
a  small,  confined  chamber,  in  which  his  amiable  landlady 
had  placed,  from  the  best  motives,  a  chafing-dish  of  burn- 
ing coals,  from  which  his  room  had  become  almost  insup- 
portably  surcharged  with  poisonous  gas.  Had  he  con- 
tinued in  the  room  till  morning,  and  had  the  combustion 
continued,  he  would  probably  have  been  a  corpse.  In- 
deed, this  is  said  to  be  a  fashionable  mode  of  committing 
suicide  in  France.  Our  readers  have  heard  of  the  infa- 
mous ''Black  Hole,"  of  Calcutta,  and  the  famous  Grotto 
del  Cana,  of  Italy;  and  yet,  from  some  cause  or  other, 
there  seems  to  be  an  invincible  disposition  among  some 
to  scorn  instruction,  or  disregard  danger.  In  many  parts 
of  our  country  the  bedrooms  are  small  apartments,  with- 
out chimneys,  on  the  ground  floor,  and  with  but  a  single 
small  window  or  door.  Around  these  dormitories  you 
will  find  a  quantity  of  flourishing  vegetation,  sufiicient, 
even  when  the  window  is  opened,  almost  to  exclude  fresh 
air.     Circumstances  better  calculated  to  accumulate  car- 


70  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS 

bonic  acid  could  scarce  be  conceived — a  small  room,  con 
fined  air,  growing  vegetables;  for  althougb,  during  the 
day,  vegetation  absorbs  carbonic  acid  and  emits  oxygen, 
during  the  night  the  process  is  reversed. 

It  is  surprising  that  the  elements  of  the  atmosphere, 
when  not  confined,  retain  the  same  proportions  in  all 
situations.  The  chemist  can  not  detect  the  difi"erence 
between  the  foul  air  of  the  city  lane  and  the  pure  atmos- 
phere of  the  distant  hill-top.  Differences  there  are, 
inappreciable  by  our  methods  of  analysis,  but  not  in  the 
proportion  of  the  principal  elements.  God  has  provided 
for  consuming,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  the  sur- 
plus carbonic  acid  as  fast  as  it  is  generated,  and  so 
admirable  are  his  adjustments  for  this  purpose,  that  the 
hundred  thousand  fires,  and  the  unnumbered  fermenta- 
tions, and  the  millions  of  lungs  that  are  constantly  at 
work  in  the  crowded  city,  are  unable  to  render  its  at- 
mosphere irrespirable,  or  even  to  charge  it  with  any 
more  than  a  due  proportion  of  carbonic  acid.  To  our 
minds  there  is  no  more  beautiful  and  convincing  proof 
of  Divine  providence. 

But  what  is  to  be  done  in  case  of  suffocation  from  car- 
bonic acid?  Dash  cold  water  upon  the  patient,  and  send 
for  some  person  who  knows  better  than  I. 


THE     CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  71 


t  (^anilht^  at  fife. 

You  will  scarce  have  placed  your  feet  upon  the  thresh- 
old of  this  busy  world,  hefore  a  troop  of  difi&culties 
will  encompass  you.  Enter  upon  any  pursuit  whatever, 
you  may  expect  enemies,  and  competitors,  and  misfor 
tunes;  and  as  many  of  you  will  go  forth  without  wealth, 
or  friends,  or  experience,  your  first  efforts  may  be  failures. 
Judging  by  the  light  of  experience,  we  are  induced  to 
fear  that  some  of  you  will  abandon  your  pursuits,  and 
take  refuge  in  the  hut  of  obscurity,  the  works  of  fancy, 
or  the  haunts  of  dissipation.  With  a  view  to  guard  you 
against  such  a  course,  I  invite  your  attention  to  the  fol- 
lowing propositions,  namely : 

Difficulties  do  not  justify  us  in  surceasing  from  the 
prosecution  of  a  rational,  benevolent,  and  feasible  under- 
taking. 

1.  We  can  not  escape  difficulty.  The  air  is  tainted, 
the  soil  churlish,  the  ocean  tempest-tossed.  Whether 
we  are  in  the  field  or  in  the  wilderness,  on  Persian  plains 
or  Alpine  bights,  amid  equatorial  heats,  or  temperate 
climes,  or  polar  solitudes,  we  are  met  by  a  thousand  ob- 
stacles. Earth  is  cursed,  and  every-where  she  puts  forth 
her  thorn  in  obedience  to  her  Maker's  withering  word. 
True,  the  curse  is  tempered  with  the  mercy  which  yields 
unnumbered  blessings  to  the  hand  of  toil ;  nevertheless, 
it  cleaves  to  all  earth's  surface,  and  turns  the  key  upon 
her  hidden  treasures.  We  read  of  cloudless  skies,  and 
sunny  climes,   and  fields  which    need    naught   but  the 


72  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

sickle ;  but  who  finds  them  ?     Paradise  is  always  ahead 
pf  the  emigiant. 

Man  is  born  to  trouble,  as  the  sparks  fly  upward;  that 
is,  by  a  general  law  of  nature.  Hence  we  find  it  in  want 
and  abundance,  in  toil  and  indolence,  in  indulgence  and 
restraint,  in  infancy,  in  manhood,  and  in  age.  It  waits 
on  every  pleasure,  and  every  path,  and  every  pursuit — it 
dwells  within.  We  can  no  more  escape  it  than  we  can 
fly  existence.  Take  a  few  illustrations.  A  young  man 
resolves  to  be  eminent.  Entering  the  academy,  he  finds 
many  difficulties  in  algebra,  and  becoming  discouraged 
he  gives  it  up;  but  has  he  liberated  himself?  No,  he 
has  plunged  from  great  to  greater  difficulties.  How  can 
he  unlock  the  vaults  of  mathematics  without  algebra, 
their  only  key?  Does  he  abandon  mathematics,  another 
difficulty  seizes  him.  How  can  he  become  educated 
without  a  knowledge  of  the  exact  sciences?  Does  he 
relinquish  his  aim  at  scholarship?  How,  then,  can  he 
carry  out  his  resolution  to  become  eminent?  Will  he  re- 
scind his  resolution?  Then  challenge  him  to  tame  the 
restless  passions  by  which  it  was  prompted.  Like  the 
fabled  ships  of  the  ancients,  "  Incidtt  in  Scyllavi  qui  vuU 
vitare  Charyhdim" — he  who  endeavors  to  avoid  Charyb- 
dis  is  drawn  into  the  jaws  of  Scylla.  How  many,  be- 
cause of  difficulties  in  their  pursuits,  become  idlers? 
But  who  on  earth  has  more  troubles  than  the  idler?  A 
man  becomes  religious,  and  enters  the  path  to  life;  but 
he  soon  finds  that  the  world  opposes,  that  his  passions 
demur,  that  his  secular  plans  come  in  conflict  with  his 
religious  efi'orts,  that  an  invisible  adversary  stands  in  the 
path  to  contend  every  inch  of  ground  with  him.  He 
retreats.  But  now  his  difficulties  are  ten  thousand  fold 
greater.  He  finds  that  an  unseen  footstep  treads  upon 
his  wandering  heels,  that  an  All-seeing  eye  surveys  his 
inmost  soul,  that  an  invisible  hand  writes  his  guilt  in 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  73 

characters  indelible  on  all  the  objects  around  him.  He 
must  encounter  the  stings  of  conscience,  the  upbraidings 
of  reason,  the  admonitions  rf  the  isltar,  the  prayers 
of  Zion,  the  cross  of  his  dying  Christ,  the  intercession 
of  his  risen  Jesus,  the  moving,  mellowing,  subduing 
influences  of  the  divine  Spirit,  the  ten  thousand  warn- 
ings of  a  merciful  Providence,  the  unnumbered  monitions 
of  living,  decaying,  dying,  reviving  nature,  the  yery 
sympathies  of  heaven,  yea,  even  the  moving  entreaties 
of  her  compassionate  King.  The  apostate  deliberately 
contends  with  conscience,  reason.  Providence,  truth,  Zion, 
men,  angels,  God;  and  in  addition  to  all  these  the  ene- 
mies he  had  before,  and  without  a  single  auxiliary  in 
earth,  hell,  or  heaven  !     Verily,  he  has  gained. 

Take  another  illustration.  The  Providence  of  God 
opens  a  missionary  field,  and  a  certain  department  of 
Zion  resolves  to  occupy  it.  The  missionary  departs  with 
bounding  heart.  He  lands,  surveys  the  ground,  pitches 
his  tent,  plants  his  standard,  reconnoiters,  lays  his  plans, 
and,  under  favorable  circumstances,  commences  an  attack 
upon  the  citadel  of  darkness.  Meanwhile,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  simoom  that  sweeps  over  the  commerce  of 
the  country  whence  he  issued,  the  Church,  being 
plunged  into  pecuniary  embarrassments,  finds  it  exceed- 
ingly difficult  to  sustain  her  new  missionary.  Now,  sup- 
pose she  recall  him — I  proceed  upon  the  supposition  that 
it  was  manifestly  her  duty  to  send  him — can  she  cut  the 
cord  which  binds  upon  her  the  obligation  to  disciple 
all  nations?  or  can  she  escape  the  curses  of  trans- 
gression ?  or  will  she  find  the  difficulties  of  disobedience 
less  than  those  of  obedience?  Let  the  trials  of  duty  be 
as  great  as  possible,  what  are  they  in  comparison  with 
those  of  rebellion?  This  has  already  riven  heaven, 
blasted  earth,  and  kindled  the  eternal  furnaces  of  hell. 
Should   a   planet   break   away  from   its  orbit,  a  system 

7 


74  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

would  be  unsettled,  and  the  universe,  from  center  to 
circumference,  might  feel  the  shock.  How  much  supe- 
rior is  the  moral  to  the  .material  world  !  How  far  more 
important  its  laws  !  How  infinitely  more  terrific  the  con- 
sequences of  their  violation  ! 

2,  Difficulties  invigorate  the  soul.  I  do  not  mean  the 
difficulties  of  indolence  and  disobedience,  these  are  with- 
ering curses,  but  the  difficulties  of  industry,  of  obedi- 
ence. 

They  are  conditions  essential  to  strength  What  gives 
power  to  the  arm  of  the  smith  ?  The  weight  of  his 
hammer.  What  gives  swiftness  to  the  Indian  foot? 
The  fleetness  of  his  game.  Thus  it  is  with  the  senses. 
What  confers  exquisite  sensibility  upon  the  blind  man's 
ear?  The  curtain  which,  by  hiding  the  visible  universe 
from  his  sight,  compels  him  to  give  intense  regard  to  the 
most  delicate  vibrations  that  play  upon  his  tympanum. 
Thus  it  is  with  the  intellect.  Who  is  the  greatest  rea- 
soner?  He  who  habitually  struggles  with  the  worst  dif- 
ficulties that  can  be  mastered  by  reason.  Do  you  com- 
plain of  a  feeble  intellect?  It  may  be  your  misfortune, 
but  it  is  more  likely  to  be  your  fault.  Before  you  charge 
the  Almighty  with  an  unequal  distribution  of  gifts,  try 
your  mind  upon  some  appropriate  difficulties.  Bear  it 
into  the  field  of  mathematics,  or  metaphysics,  or  logic. 
Bid  it  struggle,  and  faint  if  necessary,  and  struggle 
again.  If  disposed  to  i-etreat,  urge  it,  goad  it.  Let  it 
rest  when  weary,  bid  it  walk  when  it  can  not  run,  but 
teach  it  that  it  must  conquer.  If,  after  this  discipline, 
your  mind  be  feeble,  you  may  call  your  weakness  an 
infirmity,  and  not  a  fault.  Some  men  have  fruitless 
imaginations;  but  who  are  they?  Those  who  have 
never  led  their  fancies  out.  The  genial  oak  planted 
in  a  dismal  cellar,  shut  out  from  the  light  and  air  of 
heaven,  would  not  grow  up  and  lift  its  branches  to  the 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  75 

skies.  Plant  your  imagination  in  the  heavens,  and  let  it 
be  subject  to  the  high  and  holy  influences  of  its  pure 
ether,  and  its  silent  lights,  and  it  shall  manifest  vitality, 
and  vigor,  and  upward  aspirations. 

The  memory,  too,  is  strong,  if  subjected  to  proper  ex- 
ercise. It  will  yield  no  revenue  to  the  soul  that  does  not 
tax  it;  and  just  in  proportion  as  it  is  taxed,  will  it  be 
found  to  have  capacity  of  production.  I  will  add  that  it 
is  thus  with  the  moral  powers.  Envy,  jealousy,  anger, 
those  bitter  fountains  which  so  often  tincture  the 
streams  of  private  and  domestic  joy,  deepen  in  propor- 
tion to  the  obstacles  through  which  they  flow.  Avarice 
and  ambition,  those  demons  that  have  desolated  the 
globe  with  war,  derive  their  overwhelming  power  from 
the  difficulties  which  impede  their  progress.  The  daring 
lover  testifies  that  love  becomes  more  wild  and  resistless 
as  great  and  romantic  difficulties  rise  around  him. 
What  makes  the  good  Christian?  Perpetual  trial.  He 
who  has  experienced  the  severest  storms,  and  has  most 
frequently  thrown  out  the  Christian's  anchor,  has  the 
strongest  hope.  Where  shall  we  expect  the  firmest 
faith?  At  the  gate  of  St.  Peter's?  or  at  the  martyr's 
stake  ?  Who  is  compared  to  purified  silver  or  gold  ? 
That  Christian  around  whose  soul  God  hath  kindled  the 
fires  of  his  furnace,  and  kept  them  glowing  till  it  re- 
flected his  own  image. 

Difficulties  give  a  healthy  tone  and  tendency  to  the 
powers.  As  a  body  in  a  state  of  inaction  becomes  leth- 
argic and  diseased,  so  the  intellect,  if  not  kept  in  vigor- 
ous exercise,  becomes  enfeebled,  and  gradually  sinks 
under  the  sway  of  the  passions.  Energetic  action  is 
indispensable  to  preserve  both  the  body  from  disease, 
and  the  soul  from  the  dominion  of  sense. 

3.  Difficulties  develop  resources.  To  prove  this  it  is 
only  necessary  to  cite   the   aphorism — necessity   is   the 


76  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

mother  of  invention.  She  levels  forests,  she  rears  cities, 
she  builds  bridges,  she  prostrates  mountains,  she  lays  her 
iron  pathway  from  river  to  river,  and  from  sea  to  sea,  she 
baffles  the  raging  elements,  and  extends  her  dominion" 
from  earth  to  air  and  ocean,  she  ascends  the  heavens, 
and  with  fearless  foot  treads  round  the  zodiac. 

Transport  the  savage  from  his  woods  to  yon  island  in 
the  sea;  show  him  her  crowded  harbors,  and  her  metrop- 
olis of  thousand  spires;  point  him  to  her  proud  trophies, 
and  her  glorious  triumphs  in  earth  and  sky;  bid  him 
mark  how  she  brings  the  fruits  of  all  the  earth  to  her 
table,  and  weaves  the  chain  of  her  authority  over  every 
latitude.  Then,  would  you  describe  the  secret  of  all 
that  his  eye  beholds,  and  his  ear  hears,  tell  him  that 
Britain  resolved  to  meet  the  difficulties  that  lay  in  her 
path  from  barbarism  to  civilization  and  refinement. 
From  this  simple  resolution  sprung  her  arms  and  her 
arts,  her  science  and  her  song. 

I  have  said  that  difficulties  call  forth  resources.  How 
multiplied  might  be  the  illustrations!  The  Revolution 
created  the  continental  army  and  the  continental  Con- 
gress, and  made  dissevered,  discordant,  and  dependent 
states  a  united  and  powerful  republic.  An  inventive 
nation,  unless  she  plan  important  enterprises,  will  find  her 
arts  and  powers  of  but  little  use.  Why  does  China  exert 
so  feeble  an  influence  among  the  nations?  Not  because 
her  population  is  small — it  is  one-third  the  population  of 
the  globe ;  not  because  they  are  idle — no  men  are  more 
industrious;  not  because  she  has  no  arts — her  manufac- 
tures are  unsurpassed;  not  because  she  is  infertile  in  ex- 
pedients— she  walls  her  territory  to  shut  out  invaders, 
6he  unites  her  rivers  with  artificial  channels,  she  raises 
cities  upon  her  waters,  she  divides  her  rocks  into  ter- 
races, and  makes  them  smile  from  base  to  summit  with 
fairest  fruits  and  flowers,  she  bridges  her  valleys  with 


THE    CONFLICTS    OP    LIFE.  Tt 

chains,  and,  as  if  disdaining  the  aid  of  nature,  she  rears 
her  temples  on  mountains  of  her  own  construction.  Is 
the  answer  found  in  Providence  ?  Nay.  Is  learning 
neglected?  Not  a  nation  in  which  it  is  so  much  en- 
couraged. Yet  should  an  earthquake  sink  her  beneath 
the  waves,  what  ocean  would  miss  her  sails  ?  what  land 
her  treasures?  what  science  her  contributions?  The 
great  instruments  to  which  we  usually  attribute  the 
march  of  civilization,  namely,  gunpowder,  the  mariner's 
compass,  and  the  art  of  printing,  have  all  been  known  to 
China  from  remote  ages.  Although  she  flashed  powder 
from  her  "fire-pan  in  the  face  of  Genghis  Khan  and 
Tamerlane,  yet,  never  plotting  extensive  conquests,  she 
made  no  important  use  of  the  terrific  instrument  of  war. 
Content  with  navigating  along  her  coasts  and  inland 
waters,  she  kept  her  compass  upon  the  land,  and  never 
daring  to  impress  the  world's  mind,  she  confined  her 
types  to  the  stamping  of  almanacs." 

As  with  the  nation  so  with  the  individual.  The  fierce 
armies  of  Gaul  and  Britain  gave  Caesar  his  martial  skill. 
The  snow-clad  Alps  made  Hannibal  fertile  in  expedients, 
resistless  in  command.  Would  you  be  illustrious? 
Plunge  into  difficulty — cross  the  Rubicon — ^bind  your  soul 
with  strong  cords  of  obligation — put  on  band  after  band — 
the  greater  the  difiiculties,  provided  they  do  not  paralyze, 
the  greater  the  man. 

4.  There  is  scarce  any  difficulty  that  can  not  be  over- 
come by  perseverance.  Trace  any  great  mind  to  its  cul- 
mination, and  you  will  find  that  its  ascent  was  slow,  and 
by  natural  laws,  and  that  its  difficulties  were  such  only  as ' 
ordinary  minds  can  surmount.  Great  results,  whether 
physical  or  moral,  are  not  often  the  oiFspring  of  giant 
powers.  Genius  is  more  frequently  a  curse  than  a  bless- 
ing. Its  possessor,  relying  upon  his  extraordinary  gifts, 
generally  falls  into  habits  of  indolence,  and  fails  to  col- 


78  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

lect  the  materials  which  are  requisite  to  useful  and  mag- 
nificent effort.  But  there  is  a  something  which  is  sure 
of  success;  it  is  the  determination  which,  having  en- 
tered upon  a  career  with  full  conviction  that  it  is  right, 
pursues  it  in  calm  defiance  of  all  opposition.  With  such 
a  feeling  a  man  can  not  but  be  mighty.  Toil  does  not 
weary,  pain  does  not  arrest  him.  Carrying  a  compass  in 
his  heart,  which  always  points  to  one  bright  star,  he 
allows  no  footstep  to  be  taken  which  does  not  tend  in 
that  direction.  Neither  the  heaving  earthquake,  nor  the 
yawning  gulf,  nor  the  burning  mountain  can  terrify  him 
from  his  course;  and  if  the  heavens  should  fall,  the 
shattered  ruins  would  strike  him  on  his  way  to  his  object. 
Show  me  the  man  who  has  this  principle,  and  I  care  not 
to  measure  his  blood,  nor  brains.  I  ask  not  his  name  nor 
his  nation — ^I  pronounce  that  his  hand  will  be  felt  upon 
his  generation,  and  his  mind  enstamped  upon  succeeding 
ages. 

This  attribute  is  God-like.  It  may  be  traced  through- 
out the  universe.  It  has  descended  from  the  skies — it  is 
the  great  charm  of  angelic  natures.  It  is  hardly  to  be 
contemplated,  even  in  the  demon,  without  admiration. 
It  is  this  which  gives  to  the  warrior  his  crown,  and  encir- 
cles his  brow  with  a  halo  that,  in  the  estimation  of  a 
misjudging  world,  neither  darkness,  nor  lust,  nor  blas- 
phemy, nor  blood  can  obscure.  The  bard  of  Mantua,  to 
whose  tomb  genius  in  all  ages  makes  its  willing  pilgrim- 
age, never  presents  his  hero  in  a  more  attractive  light, 
than  when  he  represents  him,  ''  tot  volverc  casus,"  rolling 
his  misfortunes  forward,  as  a  river  bearing  all  opposition 
before  it. 

I  am  well  satisfied  that  it  is  a  sure  passport  to  mental 
excellence.  Science  has  no  summit  too  lofty  for  its 
ascent — literature  has  no  gate  too  strong  for  its  entrance. 
The  graces  collect  around  it,  and  the  laurel  comes  at  its 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  79 

bidding.     Talk  not  of  circumstances.     Repudiate  forever 
that  doctrine  so  paralyzing,  so  degrading,  and  yet  so  gen- 
eral,  "  Man  is  the   creature  of  circumstances."     Rather 
adopt  that  other  sentiment,  more  inspiring  to  yourselves, 
more   honorable   to   your   nature,  more   consonant   with 
truth,  Man  the  architect  of  his  own   fortune.     I  grant 
that  circumstances  have  their  influence,  and  that  often 
this  is  not  small ;  but  there  are  impulses  within,  to  which 
things    external    are    as    lava   to    the   volcano.     Circum- 
stance are   as   tools   to    the    artist.     Zeuxis   would   have 
been  a  painter    without    canvas;  Michael  Angelo  would 
have  been  a  sculptor  without  marble  j  Herschell  would 
have  been  a  philosopher  without  a  telescope,  and  Newton 
would  have  ascended  the  skies  though  no  apple  had  ever 
descended   upon   his   head.      One   of   the   most   distin- 
guished surgeons  of  modern  times  performed  nearly  all 
the   operations   of   surgery   with   a   razor.      West   com- 
menced painting  in  a  garret,  and  plundered  the  family 
cat  for  bristles  to  make  his  brushes.     When  Paganini 
once  rose  to  amuse  a  crowded  auditory  with  his  music, 
he  found  that  his  violin  had  been  removed,  and  a  coarse 
instrument  had  been  substituted  for  it.     Explaining  the 
trick,  he  said  to  the  audience,  "Now  I  will  show  you  that 
the  music  is  not  in  my  violin,  but  in  me."     Then  drawing 
his  bow,  he  sent  forth  sounds  sweet  as  ever  entranced 
delighted  mortals.     Be  assured,  the  world  is  a  coarse  in- 
strument at  best,   and  if  you  would   send  forth   sweet 
sounds  from  its  strings,  there  must  be  music  in  your 
fingers.     Fortune  may  favor,  but  do  not  rely  upon  her — 
do  not  fear  her.     Act  upon  the  doctrine  of  the  Grecian 
poet, 

"  I  seek  what's  to  be  sought— 
I  leam  what's  to  be  taught — 
I  beg  the  rest  of  Heav'n." 

Talk    not    of  genius.     I    grant  there  are  diflFerences  in 


-i 


80  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

mind,  originally,  but  there  is  mind  enough  in  every  or- 
dinary human  skull,  if  its  energies  are  properly  directed, 
to  accomplish  mighty  results.  Fear  not  obstacles. 
What  are  your  difficulties?  Poverty?  ignorance?  ob- 
scurity? Have  they  not  all  been  overcome  by  a  host 
well  known  to  fame?  But  perchance  you  climb  untrod- 
den bights.  Nevertheless,  fear  to  set  down  any  obstacle 
as  insuperable.  Look  at  the  achievements  of  man  in  the 
natural  and  moral  worlds,  and  then  say  whether  you  dare 
set  down  any  difficulty  as  insurmountable,  or  whether  you 
are  ready  to  prescribe  boundaries  to  the  operations  of  hu- 
man power. 

Are  you  destined  to  maintain  the  worship  of  the  true 
God  amid  the  darkness  of  infidelity?  Daniel  in  the  den 
of  lions,  Shadrach,  Meshech,  and  Abednego,  in  the 
flames  of  the  furnace,  and  a  long  line  of  illustrious 
martyrs,  shouting  hosannas  from  the  flames,  put  forth 
their  hands  from  the  stake  to  beckon  you  onward.  Are 
you  destined  to  plant  the  Gospel  in  heathen  lands — an 
enterprise  the  most  daring  and  glorious  in  which  mortals 
can  engage  ?  Do  you  imagine  that  you  can  meet  a  diffi- 
culty which  the  apostle  Paul  did  not  vanquish  ?  But  he 
was  an  apostle,  yea,  and  the  most  successful  of  all  the 
apostles.  And  what  was  the  secret  of  his  success  ?  "Was 
it  his  learning?  The  gift  of  tongues  made  the  other 
apostles  his  equals  in  this  respect.  Was  it  his  elo- 
quence? Doubtless  he  was  eloquent;  but  ApoUos,  too, 
was  eloquent  and  mighty  in  the  Scriptures.  Was  it  his 
inspiration?  But  were  not  others  inspired,  also?  It 
was  his  firmness  and  perseverance.  When  he  preached 
Christ  Jesus  and  him  crucified,  nothing  could  drive,  or 
divert,  or  daunt  him:   "This  one  thing  I  do,"  etc. 

Are  you  called  to  meet  bigotry  and  superstition,  armed 
with  learning,  power,  and  wealth?  See  Luther  braving 
the  thunders  of  the  Vatican,  and  hear  him  say,  "I  would 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  gf 

go  to  Worms  were  there  as  many  devils  there  as  there 
are  tiles  on  the  houses,"  and  then  affirm,  if  you  dare, 
that  it  is  your  duty,  to  succumb  to  your  difficulties.  Are 
you  destined,  which  Heaven  forbid,  to  lead  an  army  to 
resist  invaders,  or  advance  to  conquest?  Ask  Caesar, 
Hannibal,  Pyrrhus,  Alexander,  what  kind  of  difficulties 
may  be  overcome  by  decision  of  character.  Have  you 
undertaken  to  ascend  from  poverty  and  obscurity  to  em- 
inence and  wealth?  Ask  the  field  or  the  cabinet,  any 
profession  whatever,  or  either  house  of  Congress,  whether 
there  are  any  difficulties  which  will  not  yield  to  firmness 
and  perseverance,  and  ten  thousand  voices  shall  respond, 
in  animating  accents.  No. 

5.  Difficulties  are  more  easily  overcome  than  is  gener- 
ally imagined  The  simple  resolution  to  surmount  an 
obstacle  reduces  it  one  half.  It  concentrates  the  powers 
of  the  soul.  There  is  much  exertion  in  a  retreatii  g 
army;  but  it  is  of  little  avail,  for  it  makes  no  impression 
upon  the  foe.  It  is  spent  in  taking  care  of  the  baggage 
and  the  wounded,  gathering  up  the  slain,  destroying 
property,  lest  it  should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
preparing  the  way  for  escape,  and  protecting  the  rear 
from  attack.  Let  that  army,  however,  resolve  to  stand 
its  ground,  and,  though  there  may  be  no  more  energy 
expended  than  there  was  in  retreating,  how  difi'erent  is 
the  result!  Its  powers  are  collected;  every  hand  is 
placed  upon  a  gun;  every  bayonet  is  directed  against  the 
foe ;  and  every  moment  works  important  issues.  So  a 
defeated,  staggering  soul  may  make  efi'ort  to  escape  from 
the  disgrace  of  defeat — effort  to  rise  from  beneath  the 
pressure  of  its  own  humbling  reproaches — effort  at  plan- 
ning some  new  enterprise,  but  it  is  effort  wasted. 

Resolution  brings  every  power  to  the  same  point,  and 
moves  the  whole  soul  forward,  like  the  Grecian  phalanx, 
each  part  supported  and  supporting,  and  every  step  mak- 


82  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ing  an  opening  before  it.  It  dissipates  imaginary  ter- 
rors. Imagination  is  a  very  busy  but  very  humble  serv- 
ant of  the  soul;  she  obsequiously  consults  predominant 
inclination,  and  paints  to  suit  its  taste ;  she  is  never 
more  active  than  when  fear — which  is  generally  a  usurper 
in  a  state  of  irresolution — sways  the  scepter  over  the 
inner  man  :  hence,  difficulties  are  always  magnified  when 
viewed  in  the  distance.  The  inner  as  well  as  the  outer 
optics  are  subject  to  illusions.  When,  upon  some  un- 
known coast,  we  view,  through  the  morning  fog,  the  dis- 
tant cottage,  we  deem  it  a  castle.  Thus  the  sluggard, 
standing  at  his  door,  sees  a  lion  in  his  way.  Though  the 
enemy  be  a  hundred  miles  off,  the  coward  sees  him  on 
the  next  hill-top.  He  only  who  says,  "I  can  and  I  will," 
sees  difficulties  in  their  true  dimensions.  How  the  ter- 
rors of  the  wilderness  retreat  before  the  advancing  steps 
of  the  fearless  emigrant !  0,  how  I  like  those  words, 
''I  can  and  I  will!"  They  are  words  of  magic;  they 
put  to  jflight  the  hosts  of  phantoms  and  hobgoblins 
which  fear  conjures  up  around  us  in  moments  of  hesi- 
tation; they  reduce  giant  enemies  to  ordinary  foes;  they 
level  the  mountains,  fill  the  valleys,  and  make  straight 
paths  for  the  feet.  Would  you  be  victors,  write  them 
upon  your  banners,  and,  like  the  vision  of  Minerva, 
which  made  Achilles  tremble,  they  will  shake  the  knees 
of  all  your  enemies. 

Ye  mothers,  at  your  cradles  teach  them  to  your  chil- 
dren, and  bid  the  first  pulsations  of  their  little  hearts 
beat  music  to  them.  These  words,  "I  will  not  let  thee 
go  till  thou  bless  me,"  inspired  mortal  to  struggle  with 
immortal  powers.  Fathers,  breathe  resolution  int(4  your 
sons ;  then,  though  you  put  them  unarmed,  unfriended, 
and  unshod  into  this  wide  world,  they  will  see  their  way 
to  wealth  and  honor.  Launch  them  upon  the  stormy 
ocean,  they  will  exact  a  rich  revenue  from  its  billows; 


THE    CONFLICTS    OP    LIFE.  89 

exile  them  to  the  wilderness,  and  they  will  press  milk 
and  honey  from  its  rocks. 

Resolution  inspires  self-confidence.  Before  the  decla- 
ration of  independence,  the  Continental  Congress  acted 
with  fear  and  trembling ;  but  so  soon  as  that  instrument 
was  adopted,  a  noble  self-confidence  inspired  that  gal- 
lant band  of  patriots.  They  found  that  they  had 
emerged  from  that  dependence  in  which  they  had  been 
reared;  and  this  perception  spread  a  might  and  majesty 
over  all  their  thoughts  and  actions. 

The  resolution  to  pursue  the  path  of  duty,  regardless 
of  enemies  or  obstacles,  begets  the  conviction  that  we 
can  place  reliance  on  our  own  souls.  Under  this  con- 
viction, whatever  is  done  is  done  firmly.  Next  to  a 
sense  of  the  Divine  presence,  there  is  nothing  so  invig- 
orating to  the  spirit  as  the  consciousness  of  independ- 
ence. In  some  respects  it  is  not  proper  that  we  should 
be  independent.  It  is  wisely  ordained  that  our  persons, 
our  tongues,  our  property,  should  be,  to  some  extent,  un- 
der the  control  of  human  law;  but  there  is  one  little  ter- 
ritory over  which  God  designs  that  man  should  sway  an 
exclusive  scepter — that  territory  is  his  own  soul.  On 
this  no  tyrant  dare  rattle  his  chains;  into  this  no  mon- 
arch can  push  his  bayonets.  It  is  a  holy  inheritance ;  it 
is  a  celestial  soil. 

Unhappy  wretch  that  does  not  rule  in  the  councils  of 
his  own  mind !  He  opens  the  gates  of  his  paradise ; 
he  becomes  a  vassal  where  he  should  be  a  king;  instead 
of  heading  an  army  he  can  scarce  control  a  finger.  Pitia- 
ble being  he  who  asks  his  fellow-mortals  to  legislate  for 
him  !  What  do  they  know  of  the  soul !  Were  they  by, 
in  the  laboratory  of  heaven,  when  God  struck  it  ofi"?  or 
can  they  measure  its  apprehensions  or  its  anguish  ?  Can 
they  see  it  cling  to  the  cross,  or  attach  itself  to  the 
throne,  or  cast  anchor  within  the  vail?     Can  they  lift  the 


84  SOUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

curtain  that  hides  eternity,  and  travel  up  witn  it  to  see 
what  will  be  its  wants  in  un wasting  ages?  Poor  ruined 
soul  art  thou  that  embarkest  upon  the  shipwrecked  reason 
of  the  world — -perplexed  soul,  who  must  obtain  consent  of 
his  fellow-worms  before  he  acts!  To  whom  shall  he  go? 
This  world  is  a  great  Babel,  where  chaos  umpire  sits, 

"  And,  by  deciding,  worse  embroils  the  fray." 

Such  a  man  resembles  a  boatman  on  a  mighty  river, 
where  it  divides  into  a  thousand  branches.  A  points  to 
one  and  B  to  another  of  the  diverging  streams,  and  obey 
whom  one  pleases,  the  overwhelming  majority  is  against 
him.  Perplexed  by  the  confused  cries,  every  stroke  of 
his  paddle  is  feeble.  He  is  a  degraded  mortal,  whomso- 
ever he  be,  that  stoops  to  ask  man,  or  winds,  or  waves,  or 
mountains,  or  storms,  or  lightning  whether  he  may  do 
his  duty,  and  weak  as  he  is  degraded.  Would  you  be 
unembarrassed?  Have  but  one  will;  namely,  the  will 
of  God.  Inquire  what  is  duty,  then  do  it ;  and,  though 
storms  may  rage  around  you,  all  will  be  calm  within. 
From  the  counsels  of  your  own  soul  you  will  comf.  forth, 
as  Gabriel,  from  the  light,  doing  nothing  rashly,  nothing 
doubtfully,  nothing  feebly,  and  before  you  diflficulties  will 
sink. 

Under  manly  resistance  diflBculties  progressively  di- 
minish. If,  when  we  set  out  in  life,  we  fail,  we  shall 
be  likely  to  do  so  throughout  our  career ;  but  if  we  con- 
quer in  the  first  onset,  we  shall  probably  vanquish  in  the 
next,  and,  after  a  few  triumphs,  our  march  will  be  as  that 
of  the  conqueror.  The  forty-fourth  British  regiment, 
having  lost  their  colors  by  a  dastardly  delay  in  bringing 
up  the  fascines  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  and  being 
sent  to  India  to  regain  them,  instead  of  accomplishing 
their  object  were  annihilated  by  the  Afghans.  The  hero 
who  led  the  American  lines  to  that  memorable  field,  com- 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  85 

menced  his  career  by  a  fortunate  battle,  and  terminated 
in  a  blaze  of  glory  a  series  of  brilliant  victories.  Sum- 
mon all  your  energies  to  the  first  conflict.  As,  under  re- 
iterated failures,  the  bold  heart  sinks,  under  repeated 
triumphs  the  timid  one  rises.  Success  gives  strength  to 
the  hand,  and  energy  to  the  head,  and  courage  to  the 
heart,  and  produces  the  habit  of  perseverance  to  success-  ^ 
ful  issue.  Its  subject  goes  to  the  battle  as  did  the  \ 
Greek,  who,  being  reminded  that  he  was  lame,  replied, 
"I  propose  to  fight,  not  to  run."  AVhen  Bonaparte 
heard  that  his  old  guards  had  surrendered,  he  said  it 
was  impossible,  because  they  did  not  know  how. 

Manly  resistance  subdues  the  opposition  of  the  world. 
This  world  is  a  wicked  one;  it  loves  to  crush  the  op- 
pressed; I  know  not  how  it  is,  but  I  do  know  that  so  it 
is.  When  a  man  gives  signs  of  failing  his  friends  for- 
sake him,  and  his  enemies  come  up;  and  even  they  who 
before  were  indifi'erent  to  his  affairs,  take  an  interest  in 
his  downfall.  Woe  to  the  man  who  can  not  conceal  his 
inadequacy  to  meet  his  exigences !  Clearchus,  in  that 
memorable  retreat  of  the  ten  thousand  from  Persia, 
though  in  an  enemy's  land,  and  surrounded  with  millions 
of  armed  foes,  delivered  to  the  king's  messengers,  invit- 
ing him  to  sue  for  peace,  that  truly  Spartan  reply,  "  Go 
tell  the  king  that  it  is  rather  necessary  to  fight,  as  we 
have  nothing  on  which  to  dine."  While  such  was  his 
bearing,-  he  marched  unhurt  through  dangerous  p^-sses, 
and  over  unfordable  rivers,  and  was  abundantly  supplied 
with  Persian  dainties ;  but  when  tie  went  to  parley  with 
Tissaphernes,  he  and  the  brave  men  around  him  fell. 

Whether  unfortunate  or  prosperous,  you  may  expect  ^^ 
to  be  opposed.     Had  you  the  wisdom    of   Ulysses,  the   ' 
patriotism  of  Washington,   the   purity   of  an  angel  of 
light,   you   would  be    opposed.     God   incarnate,   on    an 
errand  of  redeeming  mercy,  fought  his  way  to  the  cross,  - 


86  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

which  he  stained  with  his  atoning  blood.  You  may  ex- 
pect opposition  as  long  as  selfishness  and  envy  rankle  in 
the  human  heart.  Sometimes  your  motives  will  be  mis- 
understood, sometimes  maliciously  misconstrued.  You 
will  have  opposition  from  honest  motives,  and  opposition 
from  hostile  feelings.  It  will,  perchance,  come  from  the 
hand  that  has  gathered  your  bounty,  and  issue  from  that 
heart  that  should  love  and  bless  you.  No  matter,  stand 
firm.  If  you  weep  over  the  ingratitude  of  those  who 
have  basely  injured  you,  let  no  one  see  your  tears.  If 
you  receive  into  your  bosom  the  poisoned  dagger  of  a 
false  friend,  let  no  murmur  escape  your  lips.  Be  sure, 
this  course  will  be  best.  Preserve  a  steady  footstep,  and 
march  toward  your  object,  and  your  foes  will  slink  away 
ashamed.  Under  such  a  course  the  very  feelings  which 
lead  to  opposition  will  suggest  its  withdrawal.  When  a 
designing  enemy  sees  that  a  man  is  not  arrested  by  diffi- 
culty; that  obstacles  only  develop  superior  energies,  he 
will  take  care  not  to  put  any  in  his  way.  The  very  men 
that  oppose,  when  they  see  you  marching  onward  with 
accelerated  footstep,  will  soon  not  only  surcease  their 
opposition,  but  come  around  you  with  obsequious  smile, 
and  bow  and  beg  to  do  you  homage. 

Your  friends  will  come  to  your  assistance.  It  is  an  old 
adage  that  "  fortune  helps  those  who  help  themselves." 
Certain  it  is  that  friends  are  most  inclined  to  help  us 
when  they  see  we  least  care  about  their  assistance.  They 
wish  to  be  assured  that  their  means  will  be  well  invested 
before  they  part  with  them.  The  individual  of  sagacity 
will  be  glad  of  an  opportunity  of  aiding  a  vigorous,  man- 
ly youth,  because  he  will  be  sure  of  an  ample  interest  foi 
his  capital;  but  he  who  has  an  estate  to  bequeath,  will 
not  be  quick  to  believe  that  it  is  his  duty  to  leave  it  to  a 
slothful  relative ;  he  will  seek  to  intrust  it  to  some  hand 
which  will  make  it  tell  upon  the  interest  of  the  world. 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  87 

The  multitude  delight  to  crowd  around  the  man  who  can 
use  them  to  good  advantage.  It  is  said  of  an  ancient 
general  that,  in  consequence  of  his  severity,  in  time  of 
peace,  all  who  could  forsook  him,  but,  when  danger  arose, 
they  rushed  back  again  to  his  standard.  His  fearless 
step  in  the  hour  of  trial  congregated  the  multitudes 
around  him.  The  steady  determination  to  encounter  dif- 
ficulty without  alarm,  is,  in  moments  of  danger,  like  the 
trumpet  of  Gideon,  on  the  mountains  of  Palestine,  which 
instantly  gathered  Abiezer  around  him. 

Difficulty  is  associated  with  happiness.  The  curse 
which  doomed  man  to  toil,  though  in  itself  a  curse,  is, 
relatively  to  fallen  man,  a  perpetual,  universal,  unmixed 
mercy.  Though  the  seraph,  soaring  on  his  wings  of  fire, 
and  triumphing  in  immortal  powers,  regards  it  as  a  curse; 
though  man  in  Paradise  felt  it  to  be  such,  yet  to  man  de- 
praved, it  is  a  kind  angel  which  saves  him  from  himself, 
his  greatest  foe.  Were  it  repealed,  earth  would  be  a 
thousand  fold  cursed.  Matter  and  mind  would  rot;  the 
field  would  be  a  wilderness;  man  would  be  armed  against 
himself,  and  against  his  fellow;  passion  would  obliterate 
reason;  iniquity  would  spring  out  of  all  the  earth;  un- 
mitigated wrath  would  look  down  from  heaven  ;  hell  it- 
self would  be  anticipated.  Wisely  has  God  locked  up 
every  blessing,  and  thrown  a  curtain  over  every  truth, 
that,  in  turning  the  key,  and  lifting  the  vail,  man's 
physical  and  moral  powers  might  be  diverted  from  their 
downward  tendency. 

But  exercise  not  only  preserves  us,  in  some  degree, 
from  wickedness  and  woe,  it  brings  us  positive  pleasure. 
The  exercise  of  any  of  the  faculties,  within  prescribed 
limits,  afibrds  enjoyment.  As  we  survey,  with  the  micro- 
scope, the  fantastic  motions  of  the  aniiualcula  that  float 
in  the  dew-drop,  we  exclaim,  How  happy !  As  we  take 
our  evening  walk  in  the  meadow,  and  survey  the  sportive 


88  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

lambs,  we  cry  out,  instinctively,  What  pleasure  these  lit- 
tle creatures  enjoy  I  We  never  contrast  the  slow  pace  of 
the  dam  with  the  buoyant  footsteps  of  the  colt,  without 
drawing  an  inference  in  favor  of  the  happiness  of  the 
lattei-.  And  why!  We  form  our  estimate  of  the  hap- 
piness of  inferior  animals  by  their  motions.  But  where 
did  we  obtain  this  measure?  From  our  superior  natures. 
The  activity  of  our  faculties  is  the  measure  of  enjoy- 
ment, all  other  things  being  equal.  We  may  add  that 
joy  is  the  richer  and  the  purer,  in  proportion  to  the  ex- 
cellence of  the  faculty  called  into  exercise.  Does  not 
the  peasant  enjoy  more  than  the  brute?  the  philosopher 
than  the  peasant?  the  Christian  than  the  philosopher? 

Go  to  your  congress  of  nations.  See  those  two  cham- 
pion statesmen  meet  in  fierce  and  final  struggle  !  A  na- 
tion's arguments,  a  nation's  feelings,  a  nation's  interests 
crowd  upon  each  aching  head,  and  press  each  throbbing 
heart.  The  world's  wit  and  wisdom  crowd  the  halls, 
and  beauty,  in  the  glittering  gallery,  watches  the  ap- 
proaching conflict;  the  multitudes  besiege  the  doors,  and 
aisles,  and  windows,  anxious  to  witness  the  scene,  and 
herald  the  issue ;  the  champions  rise  upon  the  tem- 
pest of  human  passions ;  they  raise  storm  after  storm, 
and  throw  thunderbolt  on  thunderbolt  at  each  other; 
they  soar,  wing  to  wing,  into  the  loftiest  regions ;  they 
grapple  with  each  other,  soul  to  soul.  Then  is  the  pur- 
est, deepest,  sweetest  rapture,  save  that  which  comes 
from  heaven  !  It  were  cheap  to  buy  one  draught  with 
the  crown  of  empire ! 

Difficulties,  when  overcome,  insure  honor.  What  lau- 
rels can  be  gathered  from  the  field  of  sham-battle  ?  No 
enemy,  no  glory.  The  brave  man  scorns  the  feeble  ad- 
versary; the  greater  the  foe,  the  more  noble  the  victory. 
Rome  gave  her  best  honors  to  Scipio,  because  he  pros- 
trated Hannibal ;  America  honors  Washington,  because 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  89 

he  drove  the  giant  forces  of  Britain ;  England  awards 
to  Wellington  her  highest  praises,  because  he  struck 
down  Napoleon,  her  mightiest  foe.  Mark  the  aged  Chris- 
tian pilgrim  as  he  rises  from  some  fearful  conflict  in  holy 
triumph.  Hark !  Methinks  I  hear  him  say,  "  0,  glorious 
Gospel  of  the  blessed  God!  Because  thou  dost  task  all 
my  powers;  because  thou  dost  lead  me  to  the  arena;  be- 
cause thou  dost  bring  me  to  the  mightiest  foes — to  prin- 
cipalities and  powers,  leagued  for  our  destruction ;  to  ru- 
lers of  darkness,  and  wicked  spirits,  panting  for  our  ever- 
lasting death ;  to  the  world  and  the  flesh ;  to  earth  and 
to  hell,  thus  making  me  a  spectacle  to  infernal  and  heav- 
enly worlds ;  to  God  the  Spirit,  God  the  Son,  and  God 
the  Father;  therefore  will  I  glory  in  thee."  Go  ask  the 
blood-washed  throng  if  they  would  erase  one  trial  from 
their  history.  Ask  David,  on  yon  mount  of  glory,  why 
the  angels  fold  their  wings,  and  drop  their  harps  to 
listen  to  his  story.  Would  you  have  an  honored  life,  an 
honored  memory,  a  blessed  immortality,  shrink  not  from 
conflict. 

We  measure  a  man's  intellect  by  his  achievements;  we 
estimate  his  achievements  by  their  difiiculties.  Think 
you  that  honor  can  come  without  difficulty?  Try  it.  Go 
build  baby-houses,  join  mice  to  a  little  wagon,  play  at 
even  and  odd,  and  ride  on  a  long  pole,  and  see  what  lau- 
rels the  world  will  award  you. 

We  will  give  you  the  crown  of  empire.  Now  go,  like 
Sardanapalus,  wrapping  yourself  in  petticoats,  dress  wool 
among  a  flock,  of  women,  and  see  if  Honor  would  not 
stamp  his  angry  foot,  and  shake  his  hoary  locks,  and 
spurn  you  from  his  presence. 

Difficulties  give  courage.  Look  at  the  raw  recruit. 
How  timid,  how  fearful  of  the  foe,  how  willing  to  avoid 
an  engagement!  Sec  him  on  the  eve  of  strife;  his  imag- 
ination pictures  the  smoke  and  din  of  battle  from  afar; 
8 


90  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  plain  crimsoned  with  blood;  the  piercing  cries  and 
gaping  wounds  of  the  dying  and  the  dead.  He  longs 
for  the  home  of  his  childhood,  the  embrace  of  hia 
mother,  the  quiet  of  peace.  But  mark  the  hardy  vet- 
eran by  his  side,  who  carries  in  his  body  the  bullets  of 
the  foe,  and  bears  upon  his  face  the  marks  of  their 
sabers.  He  stands  firm ;  he  thinks  only  of  the  image 
of  his  country,  the  punishment  of  the  invader,  and  tho 
laurels  of  the  conqueror,  and  lies  down  to  rest,  longing 
for  the  reveille  that  shall  wake  him  to  the  strife.  Be- 
hold yon  timid,  delicate  female!  She  trembles  at  the 
spider;  she  shudders  at  the  unexpected  rap;  she  faints 
at  the  firing  of  the  pistol.  War  breaks  out;  her  hus- 
band draws  his  sword,  and  leads  his  platoon  to  the  can- 
non's mouth.  The  savages  surround  her  dwelling;  the 
sound  of  the  warwhoop  wakes  the  slumbers  of  midnight, 
and  the  blood  of  her  first-born  flows  over  her  threshold. 
That  female  is  the  timid  virgin  no  longer.  Guarding  the 
cradle  of  her  weeping  babes,  she  learns  to  fire  the  rifle, 
and  plunge  into  warrior  hearts  the  sharpened  dagger. 
The  heart  of  a  Hannibal  throbs  in  her  bosom. 

Finally.  God  knew  the  difficulties  of  duty  from  the 
beginning.  Did  difficulty  justify  a  surceasing  from  duty, 
God  would  have  qualified  his  commands.  When,  amid 
thunders  and  lightning,  he  delivered  on  the  mount  that 
trembled  the  command,  ''  Thou  shalt  have  none  other 
gods  before  me,"  did  he  not  see  that  lion's  den,  and 
hear  that  sad  decree  ?  Did  he  not  cast  his  eyes  to  the 
plains  of  Durah?  Did  he  not  see  that  golden  image 
rising  threescore  cubits  ?  Did  he  not  see  that  gathering 
host  of  captains,  judges,  treasurers,  counselors,  sheriffs, 
and  all  the  rulers  of  the  provinces,  meeting  for  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  image?  Did  he  not  see  those  three  He- 
brews, and  that  furious  monarch,  and  that  furnace  heated 
with  seven-fold  flame  to  the  temperature  of  a  tyrant's 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  91 

wrath  ?  And  yet  he  did  not  qualify  the  high  com- 
maud. 

When  Jesus,  rising  from  the  tomb,  paused  on  his  as- 
cent to  heaven,  and  gave  his  great  commission,  "  Go  ye," 
etc.,  did  he  not  know  that  Peter  would  die  ?  that  Paul 
would  be  beheaded  ?  that  emperor  after  emperor  would 
kindle  his  fires,  and  lead  out  his  Christian  victims  to  the 
flames,  or  feed  them  to  the  beasts?  Did  he  not  well 
know  that  rivers  of  blood  would  flow  over  his  sanctuary, 
and  that  every  age  to  the  millennium  would  witness  its 
persecutions?  Who  says  that  difficulty  should  arrest  us 
in  the  work  of  evangelizing  the  world  ?  and  yet  there 
may  be  duties  as  clear  as  that. 

1  would  not  encourage  rash  enterprises;  I  would  not 
Bet  will  in  the  place  of  conscience,  or  desire  in  the  room 
of  reason.  I  would  take  into  consideration  opposing 
tendencies  and  probable  results  in  forming  my  views  of 
duty.  But  there  may  be  duties  as  clearly  marked  out  by 
the  Divine  providence  as  by  the  Divine  word.  Keason, 
guided  by  the  light  of  revelation,  may  satisfy  us  of  duty 
as  clearly  as  if  God  were  to  speak  audibly  from  heaven. 

I  have  pointed  out  the  path  to  success.  I  can  not 
leave  you  without  directing  attention  to  the  motives 
which  should  influence  you  in  determining  your  pursuit. 
I  can  not  imagine  that  any  of  you  think  so  meanly  of 
your  souls  as  to  enter  upon  life  with  the  question,  What 
shall  we  eat?  or  what  shall  we  drink?  or  wherewithal 
shall  we  be  clothed  ?  This  would  be  to  regard  your- 
eelvSs  as  mere  brutes.  Some  may  ask,  What  will  be 
most  congenial  to  my  taste,  or  is  most  favorable  to  im- 
provement, or  renown,  or  power,  or  wealth  ?  I  know  not 
how  to  express  my  profound  contempt  for  worldly  honor 
or  riches.  The  world  can  not  often  estimate' true  worth. 
Homer  receives  honor,  but  it  comes  too  late  even  for  the 
sepulcher.      Milton  deserved  a    temple,  but  scarce  re- 


92  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ceived  a  tomb.  But  honor,  what  is  it?  A  name  upon 
the  scroll,  and  which  Time,  with  one  dash  of  his  sponge, 
shall  soon  wipe  out.  Crucify  soul  and  body  for  the 
world,  and  she  may  mock  you  in  your  expiring  agonies; 
and  will  you  offer  incense  at  her  shrine,  and  seek  her 
favor?  Let  her  honors  be  sought  when  her  heart  is 
purified.  Who  would  seek  the  applause  of  hell?  Why, 
then,  seek  the  honors  of  a  world  kindred  to  it?  You 
are  dying,  immortal  men.  What  will  a  world's  applause 
be  to  you  in  your  last  agonies?  in  the  resurrection  morn- 
ing? in  the  eternal  world?  There  are  unfading  laurels; 
there  are  eternal  histories,  but  not  on  earth.  In  what 
terms  shall  I  express  the  fathomless  degradation  of  that 
man  who  merely  heaps  up  the  glittering  dust  of  the 
mine — who  prostitutes  energies  that  might  bless  a  world 
to  the  accumulation  of  dollars  and  cents?  He  sinks  to 
the  level  of  the  ants  a  soul  that  might  take  rank  among 
the  angels.  I  am  soon  to  die.  I  tell  you — remember 
what  I  say — that  there  is  no  service  which  is  not  infi- 
nitely beneath  your  immortal  powers  but  the  service  of 
the  living  God ;  there  is  no  honor  worthy  to  be  sought 
but  that  which  comes  from  heaven;  there  is  no  object 
sufficiently  great  to  develop  the  energies  that  slumber 
in  your  bosom,  except  that  for  which  the  Almighty  de- 
signed you. 

I  want  to  see  you  men ;  I  pant  to  see  you  mighty  men. 
Fain  would  I  have  you  move  through  earth  with  a  tem- 
pest's force;  but  better  harden  into  marble  upon  those 
seats,  than  move  with  any  other  object  than  the  good  of 
man — the  glory  of  God. 

Pleasure  and  glory  pursue  those  who  least  seek  them. 
Serve  God  with  a  pure  heart,  and  happiness  and  honor 
shall  follow  you.  Pant  you  for  a  foe?  You  shall  have 
one.  There  is  an  enemy  to  all  your  species,  who  hangs 
the  earth  in  black,  and  fills  it  with  mourning,  laraenta- 


THE    CONFLICTS    OF    LIFE.  93 

tion,  and  woe,  and  plunges  his  hatchet  in  unnumbered 
souls,  and  kindles  around  them  eternal  burnings.  En- 
ter the  field  against  him. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  punic  war,  as  Hamilcar,  about 
to  cross  his  army  into  Spain,  stood  upon  the  shores  of 
Carthage,  he  was  reflecting  upon  the  triumphs  of  the 
Romans,  the  rivals  of  his  country.  He  thought  of 
Sicily  yielded  by  a  premature  despair,  of  Sardinia  inter- 
cepted by  fraud,  of  the  stipends  maliciously  imposed, 
and,  above  all,  of  the  laurels  won  from  his  native  shores, 
and  his  great  spirit  was  stirred  within  him.  In  the 
midst  of  his  meditations  his  little  son,  nine  years  old, 
approached  him,  and,  fawning  in  a  childish  manner,  en- 
treated his  father  to  lead  him  with  the  troops  into  Spain. 
The  great  parent  breathed  upon  the  martial  spirit  of  his 
son,  and,  leading  him  to  the  altar,  bade  him  touch  the 
sacrifices,  and  then  swear  that,  when  he  becjame  a  man, 
he  would  be  the  enemy  of  Rome.  That  son  was  Hanni- 
bal. Ye  sons  of  Christendom,  come  to  the  altar  of  our 
God,  touch  the  sacrifices  of  our  Jesus,  and  swear  eternal 
hostility  to  Satan. 

Do  you  ask  for  exemplars  ?  I  point  you  to  Daniel,  to 
Paul,  to  Luther.  Others  have  provoked  the  acclamations 
of  earth — they  have  called  forth  the  shouts  of  heaven. 
Do  you  demand  a  magnificent  object  ?  The  world  is  be- 
fore you.  Balboa,  the  discoverer  of  the  South  Sea,  in 
crossing  the  isthmus  which  separates  the  Atlantic  from 
the  Pacific,  ascended  a  mountain,  from  which  he  beheld 
the  unknown  ocean  rolling  in  all  its  majesty.  Over- 
whelmed by  the  sight,  he  fell  upon  his  knees  to  thank 
God  for  conducting  him  to  so  important  a  discovery. 
When  he  reached  the  margin  of  the  sea,  he  plunged  up 
to  his  middle  in  its  waves,  and,  with  sword  and  buckler, 
took  possession  of  it  in  the  name  of  his  sovereign,  Fer- 
dinand, of  Spain.      Lay  the  map  of  the  world  before 


94  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

you,  plant  your  foot  on  Asiatic  highlands,  or  on  some 
lofty  peak  of  the  Andes.  Survey  continents,  and  seas, 
and  islands  in  darkness  and  captivity,  and  fall  down  to 
thank  God  that  you  stand  on  an  eminence  from  which 
you  see  this  great  sight;  then,  rising  in  the  majesty  of 
faith,  and  girding  on  sword  and  buckler,  advance  to  the 
conquest  of  the  nations  in  the  name  of  Zion's  King. 
There  are  energies  slumbering  in  the  smallest  bosom 
among  you  sufficient  to  shake  the  world. 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  95 


rpHERE  are  three  great  commencement  days  of  human 
-*-  existence — the  day  of  birth,  when  we  begin  to  be 
children ;  the  day  of  graduation,  when  we  begin  to  be 
men ;  and  the  day  of  death,  when  we  begin  to  be  devils 
or  angels.  Each  gives  rise  in  the  breasts  of  our  relatives 
to  conflicting  emotions ;  but  on  the  first  joy  generally 
predominates,  on  the  second  anxiety,  on  the  third  hope. 
The  period  you  have  just  reached  is  decidedly  the  most 
critical  of  life's  eras.  Although  we  know  nothing  of 
you  that  is  unfavorable,  we  can  not  divest  ourselves 
of  solicitude  for  your  welfare.  We  know  men  who, 
though  they  set  out  in  life  learned,  talented,  virtuous  as 
you,  are  outcasts  and  vagabonds.  Your  knowledge,  your 
wisdom,  your  virtue,  abide  a  fiery  trial — may  they  pass  it 
unscathed  I 

That  your  knowledge  may  endure  the  test,  it  should 
be  reviewed  and  extended.  Reviews  are  necessary  to 
preserve  knowledge.  Impressions  made  upon  memory, 
unless  frequently  repeated,  must  be  deep  indeed  if  they 
be  not  soon  effaced.  But  mere  knowledge,  as  it  does  not 
warm  the  som,  by  inflaming  the  passions,  rarely  makes 
deep  impressions. 

Reviews  are  necessary  to  perfect  your  knowledge.  It 
is  but  an  outline,  like  the  sketch  of  the  artist,  which  has 
but  little  charm,  but  which  warms   into  lifelike  beauty 


♦  Address  to  the  graduating  class  of  the  (Ma  Wesleyan  University. 


96  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

under  the  magic  retouching  of  the  pencil.  It  is  not  onlj 
an  outline,  but  a  rude  one.  Exceptions  must  you  be 
among  students,  if  you  have  not  slurred  over  many  im- 
portant propositions,  while  you  have  given  to  none  an 
attention  too  earnest  to  allow  a  profitable  reconsideration. 
Reviews  are  necessary  to  render  knowledge  available. 
Imperfect  science,  like  broken  instruments,  does  but  in- 
cumber and  confuse.  Knowledge  affords  more  pleasure 
as  well  as  profit,  in  the  review  than  in  the  original  sur- 
vey. The  first  examination  fixes  upon  the  obvious  and 
anticipated  truths;  the  subsequent  ones  disclose  those 
occult  connections,  correspondences  and  dependencies, 
which,  because  unsuspected,  possess  in  a  high  degree  the 
charm  of  novelty.  As  nature  broadens  before  the  foot- 
steps of  advancing  knowledge,  till  every  bush  becomes  a 
universe  burning  with  the  living  Grod;  so  language  opens 
new  mysteries  to  the  improving  mind,  till  the  very  alpha- 
bet suggests  the  wisdom  of  the  Eternal  and  the  music 
of  the  spheres.  Moreover,  as  nature  has  counteracted 
the  propensity  to  indolence,  by  planting  in  our  breast  a 
strong  desire  of  completing  our  undertakings,  the  per- 
fecting of  our  knowledge  must  afford  relief,  as  well  as 
gratification.  The  path  of  the  student,  therefore,  if  he 
would  be  happy,  must,  like  that  of  the  just,  shine 
brighter  and  brighter  to  the  perfect  day.  But  a  review 
of  sciences  already  acquired  is  not  sufficient — ^your  field 
of  knowledge  must  be  extended.  You  have  been  brought 
to  the  gates  only  of  learning,  the  paths  to  its  glorious  stim- 
mits  are  yet  before  you ;  through  the  avenues  of  classics 
and  metaphysics  you  may  push  on  to  the  recesses  of 
the  human  heart;  through  mathematics  to  profound 
philosophy;  through  the  rudiments  of  natural  science  to 
an  acquaintance  with  nature ;  through  ethics  to  a  knowl- 
edge of  God.  Up !  up !  then,  and  onward  ever  to  the 
bights.     Indeed  you  mi>st,  if  you  would  not  lose  ground ; 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  97 

the  highway  of  science  has  no  inns,  and  bears  up  no  foot- 
steps but  those  of  ascending  and  descending  travelers. 

The  propriety  of  persevering,  perfecting,  and  extend- 
ing our  knowledge  may  not  be  questioned — perhaps  the 
feasibility  of  it  may.  When  you  turn  your  attention  to 
the  study  of  a  profession,  you  will  doubtless  find  the  time 
allotted  you  to  prepare  for  the  discharge  of  its  duties 
jjufficiently  short,  and  when  you  shall  have  commenced 
your  practice  you  will  find  business  and  company  to  claim 
all  your  time;  nevertheless,  you  may  continue  your  lit- 
erary pursuits.  Take  no  more  time  for  any  object  than 
is  necessary  for  its  accomplishment.  Let  the  time  for  a 
given  labor  be  fully  consumed  therein,  while  the  full 
energies  of  your  souls  are  brought  to  bear  upon  it  with 
all  the  requisite  advantages — such  as  silence,  books,  phys- 
ical comfort.  Do  every  thing  by  system  ;  divide  the  day, 
and  a.ssign  to  each  duty  its  metes  and  bounds.  In  a  life 
thus  regulated  the  whole  community  of  sciences  may 
dwell  in  harmony,  and  derive  mutual  advantages  from 
their  very  neighborhood.  As,  however,  the  customs  of 
society  will  not  allow  you  to  make  such  a  division  with 
exactness,  it  is  necessary  that  you  acquire  the  habit 
of  using  fragments  of  time.  Fortunes  have  been  made 
from  the  shavings  of  horn.  Time  is  money,  and  who 
shall  duly  estimate  the  value  of  its  clippings  ?  Cultivate 
the  habit  of  gathering  and  coining  them,  and  carry  about 
with  you  the  facilities  for  so  doing. 

Your  wisdom,  too,  will  pass  an  ordeal.  Wisdom  is 
that  attribute  which  directs  to  right  words  and  actions. 
Our  expressions  afibrd  us  an  excellent  opportunity  for  ex- 
hibiting its  negative  part,  prudence. 

God   having  designed  us  for  society,  has  given  us  a 

strong  desire  to  communicate  our  thoughts,  desires,  and 

purposes;    has    ordained    speech    as    our    chief    solace, 

enjoyment,  and  civilizer;  and  rendered  it  so  important 

9 


98  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

to  our  mental  organization,  that  its  suspension  for  any 
considerable  period  is  a  cause  of  imbecility,  when  it  is 
not  a  consequence  of  derangement.  Important  as  it  may 
be,  however,  it  needs — like  all  propensions  of  our  fallen 
nature — continual  restraint :  in  the  due  exertion  of 
which  we  see  one  of  the  plainest  distinctions  between 
the  wise  and  the  silly.  The  fool  keeps  his  mouth,  like 
that  of  the  Mississippi,  always  open,  and  sometimes  not 
content  with  one  outlet  for  his  thoughts,  "He  winketh 
with  his  eyes,  he  speaketh  with  his  feet,  he  teacheth 
with  his  fingers."  Many  of  his  thoughts  may  be  good, 
but  they  are  swallowed  up  in  the  flood  of  his  foolishness. 
The  wise  man  keeps  the  door  of  his  lips,  and  allows  no 
thought  to  pass  out  which  is  not  fit  for  the  public  eye; 
although  he  may  have  much  folly,  as  he  does  not  exhibit 
it,  he  is  not  condemned  for  it.  The  fool  does  not  gain  a 
reputation  for  folly  only,  but  often  for  wickedness  also ; 
as  the  stream  will  be  like  the  fountain,  he,  so  long  as  he 
carries  in  his  bosom  a  heart  deceitful  and  desperately 
wicked,  will  fill  his  mouth  with  a  conversation  of  the 
same  description.  Moreover,  as  every  man  is  prone  to 
speak  too  well  of  his  friends  and  too  ill  of  his  foes,  he 
must  utter  flattery,  evil-speaking,  and  slander;  thus  in- 
volving himself  and  all  around  him  in  continual  diffi- 
culties. lySt.  James  says  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  and  it  is 
only  when  we  consider  how  great  a  matter  a  little  fire 
kindleth,  that  we  can  account  for  the  eternal  burnings 
with  which  society  is  consuming.  The  wise  man  utter- 
ing only  what  "  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  meet  to 
minister  grace  to  the  hearers,"  is  considered  better,  as 
well  as  wiser,  than  he  is;  and  as  he  keeps  his  thoughts 
concerning  his  neighbors,  he  gives  no  off"ense,  while,  by 
the  mere  absence  of  unkind  expressions  from  his  tongue, 
he  secures  general  favor.  Nor  am  I  sure  that  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  tongue  does  not  exert  a  desirable  reflex 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  99 

ive  influence;  thoughts  which  are  not  uttered  rarely  make 
a  deep  impression;  subjects  are  not  wont  to  recur  to  the 
mind  that  deems  them  contraband;  and  passions  deprived 
of  tongues,  and  limited  to  inward  ravings,  prove  guests 
so  troublesome  as  to  provoke  the  heart,  by  its  own  vis  con- 
servatrix,  to  expel  them.  I  know  that  Joab  smote  Abner 
quietly,  and  Judas  betrayed  his  Lord  with  a  kiss,  but  I 
believe  such  crocodiles  rarely  appear  in  human  shape. 
Hence,  as  a  general  rule,  he  who  can  bridle  his  tongue, 
can  as  easily  govern  his  whole  body,  as  the  helmsman 
can  turn  the  ship  driven  by  the  wind.  I  would  not  be 
thought  to  recommend  an  unsocial  exclusiveness,  a  uni- 
form gravity,  or  a  forbidding  taciturnity,  nor,  were  I 
capable,  without  the  aid  of  a  false  religion,  of  leading 
you  into  extremes  so  unnatural.  I  would  merely  guard 
against  the  opposites,  from  which  we  can  not  be  pre- 
served but  by  positive  and  persevering  effort.  Under 
that  sportive  play  of  fancy  and  genial  excitement  of  gen- 
erous feeling  called  forth  by  the  social  circle,  and  de- 
signed at  once  to  recruit  the  energies  of  exhausted 
intellect,  and  strengthen  the  ties  which  bind  men  to 
each  other,  the  wisest  are  apt  to  relax  too  much  the  reins 
of  the  tongue;  and  it  is  remarkable  how  small  a  dead  fly 
of  folly  will  defile  the  precious  ointment  of  a  reputation 
for  wisdom.  The  world  never  forms  her  opinion  of  a 
man  by  striking  a  balance  between  his  wise  and  silly 
sayings;  the  former  may  constitute  a  large  aggregate  and 
the  latter  a  smail  one ;  yet  the  good  shall  not  only  be 
made  to  cancel  the  evil,  but  to  leave  a  large  surplus. 
Nor  does  folly  destroy  friendship  with  less  difficulty  than 
it  does  reputation;  how  often  do  we  gain  a  jest  but  to 
lose  a  friend,  point  a  pun  but  to  pierce  a  bleeding  heart, 
or  sow  to  the  wind  but  to  reap  the  whirlwind ! 

Loquacity  is   not  to  be   condemned    indiscriminately. 
When  a  man  is  incapable  of  any  business  of  his  own,  he 


100  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

may  regulate  the  business  of  every  body  else ;  if  he  has 
no  faults  or  troubles  at  home,  he  may  turn  his  attention 
to  those  of  his  neighhors,  and  if  he  can  receive  no  further 
information,  he  may  as  well  nail  up  his  ears  Tvith  the 
ceaseless  hammering  of  his  tongue.  Habit  is  second 
nature,  and  I  would  not  lightly  censure  the  unruly  mem- 
ber, that  having  run  for  fifty  years,  can  only  be  stopped 
by  a  surgical  operation  or  the  hand  of  Omnipotence.  If 
a  man  have  but  few  ideas,  and  those  very  small,  he  may, 
like  the  huckster-woman  with  her  paltry  pennies,  lay 
them  all  out  every  night,  and  turn  them  every  morning; 
and  although  he  will  find  that  in  the  world  of  mind  the 
laws  of  trade  are  reversed,  yet  we  can  forgive  him.  Lo- 
quacity is  less  injurious  to  some  than  others.  There  is  a 
man  who  like  the  spider  having  crept  into  an  unfre- 
quented corner,  hath  no  higher  ambition  than  to  catch 
enough  of  time's  flies  to  supply  his  organs  of  digestion ; 
Tie  may  explain  the  whole  web  of  his  plan,  for  who  cares 
to  brush  it  away;  but  if  one  undertake  enterprises  of 
great  moment,  he  had  better  tie  the  little  traitor  that 
plies  between  his  lips.  Silence  is  the  great  auxiliary 
of  ambition ;  it  is  said  that  geese  can  cross  mount- 
ains if  they  carry  stones  in  their  mouths,  and  if  a  man 
would  gain  in  safety  the  summits  of  fame,  be  must  not 
cackle  as  he  passes  the  nests  of  her  eagles. 

Loquacity  disqualifies  for  solemn  duties;  from  lips  that 
utter  nonsense  we  do  not  patiently  hear  the  praises  of 
God;  the  tattler  is  not  wanted  at  the  pillow  of  the  dying; 
the  prater  is  shut  out  from  the  council  chambers  of 
rulers.  Well  might  the  pious  monarch  of  Israel  resolve 
to  keep  his  tongue  while  the  wicked  were  before  him. 
Nor  does  prating  merely  bring  impotence  of  good;  one 
idle  sentence  may  recast  amiss  a  fellow-mortal's  mind. 
One  vain  word  may  start  a  fiery  train  of  thought  that 
shall  flow  forever.     Hence,  in  the  multitude  of  words 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  101 

there  wantetli  not  sin  that  may  inflame  Him,  who,  in  cer- 
tain relations,  is  consuming  fire.  I  do  not  say  that  there 
are  no  occasions  when  we  may  speak  of  the  faults  or  sins 
of  others.  I  would  have  the  innocent  protected  and 
public  justice  enforced.  But  why  need  we  utter  the 
silly,  the  needless,  or  the  evil — blasphemy  and  slander 
I  leave  to  the  lashes  of  the  sheriff  and  the  devil.  The 
excellences  and  virtues  of  men,  the  triumphs  of  science 
and  art,  the  wonders  of  creation  and  providence,  the 
glories  of  God  and  of  grace,  are  enough  to  afford  relaxa- 
tion without  sin,  joy  without  jesting,  and  excitement 
without  foolishness  or  malice.  How  is  it  in  heaven? 
So  it  may  be  on  earth!  'Tis  slander  even  upon  depraved 
human  nature  to  say  that  its  mouth  must  necessarily  be 
like  that  of  the  volcano,  filled  with  smoke  or  flame,  or 
nothing.  Unbaptized  philosophy  were  sufficient  to  re- 
strain the  tongue — and  what  of  Christian?  Who  would 
tune  his  tongue  to  discord,  when  he  may  harmonize  it  to 
heavenly  harps  ?  who  fill  his  mouth  with  poison,  when  he 
may  sweeten  it  with  honey  ?  who  darken  his  sayings  with 
the  smoke  of  the  pit,  when  he  may  render  them  lumin- 
ous with  the  light  of  glory  ? 

/^  Since  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speak- 
eth,  if  we  keep  the  door  of  the  lips  we  must  keep  the 
door  of  the  mind;  we  must  therefore  make  a  judicious 
selection  of  company  and  books.  The  serious,  the  wise, 
and  the  honorable  must  be  on  their  guard  against  the 
trifling,  the  silly,  and  the  slanderer.  The  uncorrupted 
must  not  trust  to  their  present  abhorrence  of  corrupters ; 
since  the  latter  like  the  siren  can  sing  sweetly,  the  for- 
mer like  Ulysses  must  have  wax  for  the  ears.  A  bad 
choice  of  company  is  generally  the  first  step  to  rain,  and 
the  young  man  of  genius  and  learning  is  peculiarly  ex- 
posed; he  is  generally  courted  by  the  gay  and  the  vain; 
and  is  often  induced  by  the  feeling  which  led  Caesar  to 


102  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

say  that  he  would  rather  be  first  in  the  Alpine  village 
than  second  in  the  imperial  city,  to  squat  in  the  center 
of  the  noisy  pool  and  become  himself  a  croaker.       f 

Books  are  indispensable,  for  instruction,  amusement, 
the  formation  of  style,  and  the  supply  of  mental  stimu- 
lus ;  they  must,  however,  be  selected  with  caution.  The 
press  by  the  power  of  steam  is  wheeling  off  cart-loada 
every  moment,  yet  the  world,  like  the  grave  in  a  pesti- 
lence, stands  with  its  mouth  wide  open,  and  tries  not  it 
is  enough.  That  this  mass  is  all  to  be  rejected  t'were 
madness  to  affirm;  much  of  the  periodical  liteiature 
of  the  day,  and  many  of  its  books,  are  rich  and  in- 
structive ;  but  the  precious  must  be  separated  from  the 
vile,  and  the  greater  the  preponderance  of  the  latter  over 
the  former,  the  more  difficult  the  task.  A  few  hints  only 
will  be  given.  Old  works  arc  better  than  new.  To  this 
remark  there  are  exceptions,  confined  however  almost  ex- 
clusively to  the  department  of  instructive  books,  nor 
extending  equally  through  this,  but  limited  chiefly  to 
the  bureau  of  natural  science,  in  which  the  career  of 
discovery  being  rapid  and  brilliant,  the  presumption  is  in 
favor  of  the  latest  author.  For  most  of  the  legitimate  pur- 
poses of  reading  give  me  old  writers,  such  as,  for  amuse- 
ment, Addison;  for  mental  stimulus,  Milton;  and  for 
models  of  manly  style,  the  ancient  classics.  Old  authors 
have  a  great  negative  advantage.  Men  like  monkeys  are 
fond  of  pranks,  and  every  age  has  its  bewildering  fancies 
and  Utopian  schemes;  the  present  abounds  with  model 
reformers,  and  "poor  man's  plasters."  That  change  is 
not  the  law  of  our  being,  and  progress  our  high  destiny, 
I  by  no  means  assert,  but  I  do  aver  that  the  former 
is  frequently  from  bad  to  worse,  and  that  the  latter  is 
not  to  be  secured  by  new  social  plans,  and  novel  moral 
principles,  but  by  a  steady  improvement  of  old  organiza- 
tions,  through   a   faithful   application   of  old   principles 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  103 

The  laws  of  nature  and  of  the  decalogue  are  eternal;  hut 
so  bewitching  are  the  reasonings  of  that  enthusiast  who 
takes  the  universe  under  his  management,  that  they  are 
pretty  sure  to  take  the  careless  reader  captive,  and  even 
make  him  hug  his  chains,  till  liberated  by  a  destructive 
upshot.  The  works  which  contained  the  follies  of  former 
ages  have  nearly  all  gone  down  to  oblivion.  True,  those 
which  survive,  like  all  things  human,  bear  marks  of 
weakness;  but  these  fancies  are  not  like  the  ignis  fatuus, 
near  enough  to  mislead  our  feet,  but  like  the  aurora 
borealis,  distant  enough  to  be  contemplated  with  wonder 
and  philosophical  delight.  Old  writers,  like  the  bottles 
of  old  doctors,  generally  contain  mulhim  in  parvo ;  but 
many  of  the  mental  quacks  of  our  day  compose  accord- 
ing to  the  following  receipt :  ; 

Take  of  words  one  hogshead, 

Of  understanding  one  drop, 

Of  human  depravity  and  coloring  matter  a  sufficient  quantity, 

Mix  and  filter  through  green  or  yellow  paper. 

And  although  they  often  get  certificates  of  the  clergy, 
on  whom  they  practice  gratuitously,  it  is  perfectly  safe  to 
let  their  "eye  waters"  alone.  The  contempt  I  have  for 
the  novels  of  the  times  is  not  indiscriminate.  The  pages 
of  Sir  Walter  I  doubt  not  are  enchanting,  altliough  I 
have  never  felt  their  power;  but  I  have  yet  to  learn  who 
has  become  wiser  or  better  by  their  perusal,  while  I  sup- 
pose that  their  tendency  is  the  reverse  of  mental  dis- 
cipline; to  relax  the  energies,  intoxicate  the  reason,  and 
fill  the  fancy  with  dreams  of  rapture  or  of  anguish.  It 
may  be  asked  how  I  know  their  efi'ects,  never  having  felt 
them  ?  just  as  I  know  the  properties  of  arsenic  without 
ever  having  tasted  it.  What  need  we  of  the  literature 
of  a  superficial  and  hurried  age,  when  we  have  at  com- 
mand the  works  which  Greece,  Rome,  and  England, 
elaborated  respectively,  in  the  Homeric,  the  Augustan, 


104  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

and  Elizabethan  periods — above  all,  the  oldest  of  all 
writings,  which  blending  philosophy  and  poetry  in  union, 
and  affording  mingled  instruction  and  delight  in  forms 
ever  varying  with  ever-increasing  charms,  gleams  at  every 
reperusal  with  new  glimpses  of  the  mind  of  God.  But 
your  experience,  I  suppose,  enables  you  to  say  in  ref- 
erence to  this  subject,  ''No  man  having  drunk  old 
wine  straightway  desireth  new,  for  he  saith  the  old  is 
better." 

Books  of  instruction  are  preferable  to  those  of  mere 
amusement.  The  latter  have  their  use;  but  as  in  gen- 
eral our  natural  indolence  prevents  us  from  overtasking 
the  mind,  and  our  necessary  intercourse  with  society,  and 
attention  to  passing  events,  aflFord  enough  of  useful  mirth^ 
as  well  as  salutary  woe,  they  are  rarely  indispensable;  and 
as  they  tend  to  form  a  habit  of  careless  reading,  create  a 
distaste  for  more  important  productions,  and  a  disinclina- 
tion for  protracted  thought,  unless  they  are  needed  for 
relaxation,  they  are  generally  injurious. 

Books  of  nature  are  preferable  to  books  of  men.  The 
latter  are  important,  not  to  say  indispensable.  They  are 
,the  key  to  the  former,  which  are  closed  by  a  lock  that 
none  but  transcendent  genius  can  pick;  but  to  confine 
ourselves  to  their  study  is  to  spend  life  in  a  child- 
ish turning  of  a  shining  instrument.  The  mineralogist 
must  take  his  hammer  to  the  rock,  the  botanist  must 
walk  afield,  the  anatomist  must  bend  over  the  cadaver, 
the  metaphysician  over  the  soul,  the  painter  and  the  poet 
that  would  be  original  must  muse  upon  nature's  green, 
and  feel  her  freshness. 

^Jleflection  is  more  important  than  reading;  as  in  the 
physical  so  in  the  moral  world,  industry  must  be  incorpo- 
rated with  our  treasures  to  give  them  value.  Reflection 
is  the  mint  which  selects,  refines,  classifies,  appropriates, 
and  stamps  our  knowledge,  and  fills  the  mouth  tvith  golden 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  105 

words — ^without  it  knowledge  is  rubbish,  and  study  a  wea- 
riness of  the  flesh. 

If  the  padlock  is  placed  upon  the  mind  by  a  proper 
selection  of  books  and  company,  the  lips  will  be  easily 
regulated.  But  wisdom  must  be  developed  in  action  as 
well  as  words.  The  walking  encyclopedia  may  be  a  vaga- 
bond, the  orator  a  drunkard,  and  the  poet,  who  soars  into 
heaven  with  his  melody,  may  be  a  curse  to  earth  by  his 
crimes.  Wise  conduct  requires  deliberation.  This  is 
opposed  to  three  errors — inconsideration,  contempt  of 
advice,  and  partial  views  of  our  relations. 

1.  Inconsideration.  Some  men  act  from  impulse  rather 
than  reason.  They  think  indeed,  but  their  thoughts  are 
limited  to  narrow  bounds,  and  they  seize  without  hesi- 
tancy, to  enjoy  without  limit,  the  present  pleasure,  for- 
getful alike  of  the  future  and  the  past;  they  are  worse 
ofi"  than  the  brutes,  who,  to  a  certain  extent,  are  guided 
and  restrained  by  instinct.  The  swine  when  satiated 
lies  down  to  rest,  not  so  the  glutton ;  the  dog  turns  from 
that  which  is  hurtful,  not  so  the  drunkard;  the  ant  pro- 
videth  her  meat  in  summer,  but  the  idler  folds  his  arms 
in  slumber  till  want,  like  an  armed  man,  overtakes  him; 
the  ox  knoweth  his  owner,  and  the  ass  his  master's  crib, 
but  the  rake,  having  no  instinct  and  using  no  reason, 
knoweth  neither;  he  eats  to  loathing,  and  drinks  to 
dregs,  enjoys  to  idiocy,  and  laughs  to  madness;  he  lulls 
his  desires  but  wakes  his  remorse,  and  chars  his  body  but 
to  light  up  a  furnace  in  his  soul.  He  has  godlike  intel- 
lect, but  he  sells  it  for  a  fool's  laugh ;  perchance  he  has 
high  and  generous  impulses,  and  would  rise  at  midnight 
to  divide  his  last  loaf  with  the  beggar;  but  because  he 
will  not  consider,  he  followeth  flattering  lips  as  an  ox 
goeth  to  the  slaughter,  and  drinks  wine  with  the  hostess 
who  lays  her  guest  in  the  depths  of  hell;  when  admon- 
ished he  confesses  perchance,  but  soothes  himself  with 


106  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  supposition  that  he  injures  no  one  but  himself.  Alas ! 
in  the  great  day  he  will  find  that  he  had  no  right  to  sell 
his  brains  for  a  mess  of  pottage,  or  to  turn  his  heart  into 
a  goblet,  and  no  power  to  fall  into  the  pit  without  drag- 
ging tormentors  with  him. 

2.  Contempt  of  counsel.  There  is  a  man  who,  with  a 
comfortable  state  of  consciousness,  says  within  himself, 

"  I  am  sir  Oracle, 
When  I  ope  my  lips  let  no  dog  Lark." 

He  forgets  that  there  is  a  diversity  among  the  gifts  of 
God,  and  safety  in  the  multitude  of  counselors — that 
Newton  could  learn  from  a  goat-herd,  and  Caesar  from  a 
raw  recruit.  Should  one  like  Themistocles  offer  him 
counsel,  he,  like  Eurybiades,  would  present  a  club. 
Though  Wisdom  build  her  house,  and  hew  her  pillars, 
and  kill  her  beasts,  and  mingle  her  wine,  and  furnish  her 
table,  and  send  forth  her  maidens,  he  turns  not  to  her 
temple.  But  though  his  ears  are  like  those  of  adders, 
and  his  eyes  like  those  of  moles,  his  tongue  is  loose,  and 
thinking  that  wisdom  will  die  with  him,  he  is  impatient 
to  utter  oracles — imagining  that  he  is  born  like  the  queen 
bee,  to  be  obeyed  by  drudges  and  courted  by  drones,  he 
is  unwilling  that  men  should  either  think  or  act  till  he 
gives  the  signal.  His  fault  is  not  that  he  does  not  con- 
sider— he  generally  considers,  sometimes  long  and  well — 
but  that  he  aims  at  what  transcendent  genius  can  not 
reach,  independence  of  counsel:  he  will  find  that  the 
laws  of  nature,  of  Providence,  of  man,  are  not  framed 
for  unadvised  action;  that  "pride  goeth  before  destruc- 
tion, and  a  haughty  spirit  before  a  fall.'' 

3.  Partial  views.  Before  we  enter  upon  important 
action  we  must  consider  the  bearing  it  may  have  upon 
the  interests  of  our  fellow-men.  God  having  intimately 
interwoven  our  interests  with  those  of  society,  no  act  can 
be  deemed  wise  that  is  dictated  by  selfishness      Some 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  107 

men  seek  their  own  welftire  in  violation  of  the  rights  of 
others;  these  maybe  left  to  the  law;  the  greater  number 
seek  their  interest  in  disregard  of  the  claims  of  others. 
There  is  one  who  determines  to  be  rich;  he  considers  the 
things  of  others  only  with  a  view  to  get  them.  He  is  a 
prudent  man;  he  reflects,  takes  counsel;  he  is  kind, 
wishing  others  no  harm,  merely  desiring  to  profit  by  their 
necessities.  The  robber,  like  the  lion,  goes  to  destroy; 
he,  like  the  vulture,  follows  only  to  feed  upon  the  car- 
casses. He  may  have  so  great  cunning  and  sagacity  that 
his  name  may  suggest  the  passage  of  Scripture,  "go  tell 
that  fox,"  and  if  he  belonged  to  a  community  of  brutes 
he  might  rank  high.  Yet  such  are  the  laws  of  human 
society,  that  although  a  miser  succeed  for  awhile,  he  will 
find  that  for  a  lifetime,  or  any  considerable  portion  thereof, 
he  will  miss  his  object  by  too  hot  a  pursuit,  and  verify 
the  declaration,  that  "there  is  that  withholdeth  more 
than  is  meet,  and  it  tendeth  to  poverty;"  or  that  he  will 
shipwreck  character  or  happiness  in  his  success,  and 
prove  that  "they  that  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation 
and  a  snare."  The  love  of  money  for  its  own  sake,  or 
our  own  sake,  so  far  from  being  a  fountain  of  all  good,  is 
the  root  of  all  evil.||  Voltaire  said,  "The  English  people 
are  like  their  butts  of  beer,  froth  at  the  top,  dregs  at  the 
bottom,  and  in  the  middle  excellent,"  a  remark  not  lim- 
ited in  its  application  to  Britannia — and  though  an  infi- 
del, yet  a  pertinent  commentary  on  Agur's  prayer. 

The  ambitious  warrior  seeks  for  fame;  he  is  very  cau- 
tious and  circumspect,  willing  to  hear  and  ready  to  com- 
municate. He  assembles  around  him  the  most  judicious 
advisers,  submits  his  plans  for  their  examination,  listens 
to  every  suggestion,  is  willing  to  review  the  ground  of  all 
his  opinions,  and  abandons  every  untenable  position;  but 
his  deliberations  respect  his  own  success  only.  In  his 
march  he  desolates  fields,  burns  villages,  tears  down  tern 


I 


108  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

pies,  and  fires  through  crowded  streets;  he  sees,  without 
compunction,  the  blood  upon  his  garments,  and  hears, 
without  remorse,  the  wild  wail  of  widows,  and  loud  cries 
of  orphans,  looking  for  their  blood-stained  dead.  Yet 
may  be  he  is  kind,  forgiving,  tender-hearted,  desiring  to 
do  no  body  harm;  he  only  determines  to  do  himself  good, 
with  the  cannon.  He  may  receive  his  reward — the  plau- 
dits of  fools,  the  contempt  of  wise  men,  the  admiration 
of  the  noisy  present,  the  scorn  of  the  calm  future,  the 
honors  and  emoluments  of  office,  the  reproaches  of  reason 
and  of  conscience;  but  is  he  wise? 

Yonder  is  a  statesman,  thinking  only  on  his  own  eleva- 
tion— ready  to  praise  a  friend  in  the  morning,  or  curse 
him  in  the  evening;  to  shout  for  democracy  in  the  street, 
or  wheedle  for  federalism  in  the  cabinet,  to  hurra  for 
universal  emancipation  at  the  north,  and  vote  perpetual 
slavery  at  the  south  ;  to  allay  local  prejudices  by  unconsti- 
tutional largesses,  or  inflame  national  passions  by  the 
torch  of  war.  He  lays  all  his  plans  regardless  of  every 
body  but  himself.  What  cares  he,  if  he  empty  a  land 
of  peace,  and  purity,  and  blessedness,  and  fill  it  with 
confusion,  and  blasphemy,  and  woe — so  he  sway  the 
scepter.  And  yet  he  pretends  to  be  a  philanthropist; 
he  can  deliver  temperance  speeches,  and  subscribe  for 
clergymen,  and  preside  at  Sabbath  conventions,  and  even 
"visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  aflSictions." 
Out,  you  villain;  despite  your  cries  of  "0,  the  dear  peo- 
le  !"  the  crowd  you  despise  can  see  behind  your  night-cap. 
Would  man  be  wise,  he  must  be  benevolent;  in  perse- 
cution, like  the  tree  which  when  wounded  pours  out 
balm ;  in  prosperity,  like  the  sea,  which  throws  its  arms 
around  all  lands;  and  in  the  hour  of  our  country's  ex- 
tremity, like  the  world's  Kedeemer,  ready  to  bleed.  Thus 
only  can  you  secure  your  own  interests — 'tis  the  law  writ- 
ten in  the  heavens — inscribed  upon  the  earth. 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  109 

True  wisdom  implies  still  more  comprehensive  views. 
We  must  deliberate  upon  all  the  interests  of  the  soul. 
You  subordinate  the  appetites  to  self-love — 'tis  well. 
You  subject  self-love  to  social  feeling — 'tis  better;  weigh- 
ing the  claims  of  each  impulse  in  the  balance  of  reason, 
you  will  subject  all  to  conscience.  We  must  weigh  the 
concerns  of  the  future  world,  as  well  as  of  the  present.jf 
If  he  is  a  fool  who  barters  the  interests  of  a  life  for  the 
pleasures  of  a  moment,  infinitely  more  so  he  who  jeop- 
ards the  interests  of  eternity  for  the  enjoyments  of  time. 
We  must  deliberate  upon  the  obligations  arising  from  all 
our  relations,  giving  to  each  its  due  importance.  'Tis  not 
enough  to  live  continently,  do  justice,  and  love  mercy. 
There  is  a  being  whose  claims  absorb  those  of  every 
other,  and  that  man  has  not  learned  the  alphabet  of  wis- 
dom who  does  not  walk  humbly  with  God.  Nor  is  this 
duty  in  the  least  incompatible  with  others.  You  may  be 
like  the  earth,  which,  though  she  turns  upon  her  center, 
and  feeds  her  own  family,  moves  steadily  through  the 
heavens,  bearing  all  her  children  upon  her  breast. 

But  your  VIRTUE  will  be  tried  as  well  as  your  wisdom. 
Men  may  be  wise  in  their  own  estimation,  and  in  that  of 
the  world,  and  yet  not  virtuous.  Virtue  is  of  the  inten- 
tion, and  is  best  secured  by  correct  views  of  God,  and  a 
sense  of  his  constant  presence.  Who  would  sin  while 
looking  in  the  eye  of  the  whole  heavenly  hierarchy? 
But  there  is  one  in  whose  sight  the  heavens  are  not  clean, 
and  who  chargeth  his  angels  with  folly,  and  he  is  not  far 
from  every  one  of  us.  Educate  your  mind  up  to  the 
idea  of  the  revealed  God.  This  is  the  mountain  thought 
in  the  universe  of  mind  within  whose  shade  all  virtue 
dwells.  True,  if  viewed  from  the  basis  of  Sinai  it  is  a 
mountain  of  fire,  smoking,  shaking,  thundering,  consum- 
ing; yet,  when  surveyed  from  Calvary  it  is  arrayed  in 
attractive  glories,  awing,  mellowing,  subduing,  sanctifying.  7 


110  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

It  is  time  I  relieved  your  patience.  In  conclusion. 
To  you  it  is  given  to  know.  Knjoy  the  privilege;  that 
you  may,  be  humble,  accompany  truth  whatever  be  her 
course — be  firm,  not  fearful,  when  she  bears  you  through 
the  storm.  It  is  a  beautiful  fiction  of  the  ancients,  that 
Hercules,  when  he  went  to  unbind  Prometheus,  sailed 
the  length  of  the  great  ocean  in  an  earthen  pitcher. 
Thus  truth  may  ride  the  waves  of  the  world  in  a  frail 
bark;  but  that  bark  carries  a  divinity. 

To  you  it  is  given  to  think.  Exercise  the  power  pa- 
tiently, strongly.  And  let  us  not  suppose  that  because 
the  world  is  full  of  books,  we  can  attain  no  original 
thought.  Every  man  has  peculiar  genius,  and  the  uni- 
verse is  perpetually  unfolding  new  lessons.  As  infinite 
power  energizes  in  infinite  space,  its  demonstrations  will 
fill  eternity  with  fresh  and  glorious  wonders,  so  that  the 
oldest,  tallest  son  of  light  will  ever  find  an  unpierced 
nebula  of  thought  before  his  strong-winged  soul.  But 
think  with  awe,  as  in  the  presence  of  Him  to  whom  the 
darkened  alike  with  the  illuminated  universe  is  a  mirror, 
catching  and  recording  the  faintest  breathings  of  the 
soul,  to  be  daguerreotyped  in  the  light  of  earth's  final 
fires. 

To  you  it  is  given  to  speaJc — stupendous  power.  You 
are  amazed  at  the  "force  and  flexibility  of  the  elephant's 
trunk,  whicb  can  pick  up  a  pin,  or  rend  an  oak;"  but 
what  is  this  to  the  tongue  which  can  talk  to  the  passing 
moments,  or  lift  up  a  voice  to  eternity!  You  stand 
aghast  at  the  roar  of  the  lion,  which  makes  the  beasts  of 
the  forest  tremble  like  timorous  men — nothing  to  the 
tongue,  which,  summoning  the  mob,  can  turn  timorous 
men  into  infuriated  tigers.  You  shudder  at  the  earth- 
quake spreading  its  jaws  for  a  nation — nothing  to  the 
tongue,  whicb  can  open  hell  by  its  blasphemy,  or  cleave 
the  heavens  by  its  prayer.     And  this  dreadful  responsi- 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  Ill 

bility  is  committed  to  you,  with  the  condition  that  its 
simplest  as  well  as  its  sublimest  movements  shall  be  tele- 
graphed by  the  electricity  of  God's  omnipotence  on  the 
docket  of  the  last  judgment. 

To  you  it  is  given  to  act.  Should  a  giant,  able,  like 
Hercules,  to  rid  earth  of  its  monsters,  ascending  a  mount- 
ain, and  raising  his  calm  head  above  the  forest,  rest  his 
elbows  on  the  tops  of  some  of  its  tall  oaks,  to  spend  his 
time  in  gazing  upon  the  sun,  when  he  should  be  crushing 
the  lions  that  roar  and  the  hydras  that  hiss  at  his  feet, 
with  what  indignation  should  we  regard  him?  More 
worthy  of  scorn  the  giant  mind  that  spends  life  in  mus- 
ing, when  a  world  invites  and  a  God  commands  to  action. 
But  you  will  act,  and  that  too  under  strong  incentives. 
The  age  is  one  of  activity;  pushing  forward  the  arts  and 
sciences,  carrying  knowledge  down  to  lower  levels,  and 
scattering  the  seeds  of  civilization  and  religion  beside  all 
waters,  sending  out  on  voyages  of  discovery  to  remotest 
points  in  every  direction,  and  at  once  rousing  the  mind 
of  the  world  into  ominous  agitation  and  nerving  its  arm 
for  deeds  of  daring.     You  will  catch  its  spirit. 

The  age  is  one  of  change.  An  all-comprehensive 
moral  whirlwind  is  moving  upon  the  earth,  and  shaking 
all  her  powers — its  louder  and  louder  bellowings  will 
pierce  your  ears  and  make  you  run  to  and  fro. 

'Tis  a  critical  period.  The  foot-marks  of  God  are  upon 
the  sea,  and  the  voice  of  God  is  in  the  storm.  You  may 
trace  the  one  and  hear  the  other,  and  cry  "here  am  I." 

'Tis  an  age  of  unprecedented  facilities — of  thunder  and 
lightning  powers.  "Tis  not  absolutely  necessary  that  you 
go  to  Africa,  stretching  her  chained  and  bloody  hands  to 
you,  or  to  Asia,  groaning  from  beneath  her  hideous  idols, 
or  to  the  islands  of  the  sea,  consuming  in  their  sinful 
shades.  Providence  hath  planted  magazines  under  every 
prison    door,    and   under   every  Juggernaut,   and   under 


112  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

every  burning  forest  of  iniquity,  and  hath  brought  the 
train  almost  to  our  very  doors.  We  have  only  to  light  a 
match  to  move  a  mountain.  Martyrs,  and  prophets,  and 
patriarchs,  and  apostles,  methinks,  would  gladly  leave 
their  mansions  of  rest  to  take  your  places  upon  these 
planks. 

You  will  act  with  fearful  energies — which  I  would  have 
you  tax  to  the  utmost.     Let  others  sing  the  couplet, 

"Let  me  be  little  and  unknown, 
Loved  and  prized  by  God  alone." 

The  lines  are  incongruous.  Did  God  ever  love  the 
soul  that  wished  to  be  "little  and  unknown?"  He  is 
infinitely  lovely,  and  must  love  his  creatures  in  proportion 
as  they  resemble  himself,  the  boundless  ocean  of  love 
ever  flowing  in  the  channels  of  infinite  power  and  wisdom 
over  the  universe.  Think  ye,  does  the  angel  hide  be- 
neath Jehovah's  footstool?  Rather  does  he  flap  an  im- 
patient wing  of  fire,  as  he  cries  in  waiting  before  the 
throne,  "I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  0  God!"  Is  he 
ashamed  of  his  message  or  his  Maker?  No.  He  blows 
his  halleluiah  through  a  trumpet,  and  whether  he  fly 
through  the  earth  with  the  everlasting  Gospel,  or  stand 
one  foot  on  sea  and  one  on  land,  to  swear  that  time  shall 
be  no  longer,  he  makes  himself  known  and  felt. 
J^,  But  why  exhort  you  to  put  forth  your  energies?  They 
can  not  slumber.  As  you  go  through  the  earth  you  will 
•^  smite  the  friends  or  the  foes  of  God  and  man,  and  every 
)  stroke  will  react  upon  yourselves,  and  urging  you  on  to 
the  world  of  spirits,  make  you  fiercer  devils  or  stronger 
angels,  world  without  end. 

Look  out — there  is  an  enemy;  sin,  which  has  filled  the 
earth  with  groans,  and  hell  with  flames.  He  is  abroad 
still,  and  in  the  forms  of  ignorance,  intemperance,  infi- 
delity, and  slavery,  is  crushing  human  hearts  by  thou- 
sands at  a  footfall.     On  him  turn  your  arms.     Fain  wouM 


THE    PATH    TO    SUCCESS.  IIB 

I  call  yoTi  this  day  to  God's  altar,  and  make  you  swear,  as 
the  child  Hannibal  to  Hamilcar,  that  you  would  be  the 
internal  foe  of  this  enemy  of  mine  and  yours. 

But  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?  On  the  borders 
of  this  world  there  is  a  place  which  no  eye  seeth  but  that 
of  God.  Seek  that  place,  and,  on  the  knee  of  faith) 
become  "strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his 
might."  Then,  though  you  have  to  adopt  the  language 
of  Christ,  and  say,  "The  foxes  have  holes  and  the  birds 
.of  the  air  have  nests,  but  the  Son  of  man  hath  not  where 
to  lay  his  head,"  you  will  live  useful  and  happy,  and 
though  you  die  on  a  cross,  you  will  wake  to  joy  when  the 
heavens  be  no  more. 

I  have  spoken  as  though'  you  were  to  live  long.  Alas ! 
while  I  am  addressing  you.  Death  may  receive  his  com- 
mission to  cut  you  down,  ere  the  ink  shall  have  become 
dry  upon  your  diplomas.  I  have  so  often  wiped  the 
damp  of  death  from  the  brow  of -youth,  that  I  look  even 
upon  blooming  manhood  as  little  better  than  the  corpse. 

Well  may  I  say  to  you  what  the  prophet  said  on  Car- 
mel — "  Choose  you  this  day  whom  ye  will  serve,"  or  if 
you  have  made  your  choice,  what  Jesus  said  to  Judas — 
"What  thou  doest,  do  quickly." 

We  must  part.  Soon  the  wheels  of  the  mail-coach  will 
separate  us.  Soon  the  night  of  the  grave  will  hide  ua 
from  mortal  sight  till  the  last  day.  Living,  I  will  cherish 
pleasing  recollections  of  you,  and  dying,  hope  to  meet  you 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  Judge. 
10 


Hi  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


r^  REAT  is  the  diversity  among  human  minds ;  so  great 
^  that  it  can  not  be  fully  accounted  for  by  education,, 
association,  example — any  thing,  except  original  differ- 
ences of  mental  constitution.  These  differences  are 
owing,  not  to  the  introduction  of  new  elements,  but  to 
new  combinations;  such  combinations,  too,  are  as  end- 
less as  those  of  articulate  sounds  in  human  language. 
You  will  rarely  meet  with  a  man  in  whom  there  is  not  a 
tendency  to  excessive,  or  defective,  or  perverted  action 
in  some  faculty  or  class  of  faculties.  When  an  uncul- 
tivated mind  is  neither  of  great  strength  nor  marked  pecu- 
liarities, the  ordinary  intercourse  of  society  and  the  com- 
mon duties  of  life  may  be  sufficient  checks  to  its  wan- 
derings ;  but  when  a  great  genius  is  permitted  to  educate 
himself  he  usually  becomes  a  moral  monster.  Such  a 
one  may  have  great  learning,  merit,  success,  but  is  rarely 
capable  of  just  views,  of  safe  and  sober  judgment.  We 
might  show  the  evils  of  ill-balanced  mind,  by  tracing  its 
influences  either  upon  our  usefulness,  our  happiness,  or 
our  salvation.  That  I  be  not  tedious,  I  must  limit  my- 
self to  one  of  these  three.  Since  the  last  is  the  most 
important,  I  select  that.  Let  us  trace  the  connection  be- 
tween mental  and  religious  faith. 

I.  The  want  of  mental  balance  is  most  frequently  seen 
in  the  following  faculties;  namely,  faith,  attention,  ab- 
straction, and  imagination. 

1.  Belief  is  one  of  the  original  powers  of  the  mind, 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY,  116 

and,  like  all  others,  may  be  conferred  in  various  degrees ; 
generally,  however,  it  is  strong  in  early  life,  so  much  so 
that  we  rarely  find  a  child  not  disposed  to  indiscriminate 
faith.  Not  till  frequently  deceived  do  men  learn  to 
doubt.  As  their  minds  mature,  however,  they  find  it 
necessary  to  examine  the  grounds  of  their  opinions,  and 
this  process  is  then  a  duty;  but  when  they  commence  it 
while  the  intellect  is  still  immature,  especially  if  under 
the  bias  of  depravity,  without  the  light  of  experience, 
and  under  the  influence  of  infidel  or  sensual  associates, 
they  are  very  likely  to  form  a  habit  of  doubting,  which 
finally  ends  in  contempt  of  sacred  things,  if  not  univer- 
sal skepticism.  Young  men  should  bo  on  their  guard 
against  this  habit,  and  especially  in  these  republics, 
where  a  feeling  of  independence  is  considered  so  be- 
coming in  youth.  Very  few,  perhaps,  are  aware  to  how 
great  an  extent  the  power  of  belief  is  under  the  control 
of  habit;  they  may  learn  something  of  it  from  analogy. 
What  capability  is  not  strengthened  by  use,  and  weak- 
ened by  disuse?  That  power  which  can  make  the  con- 
science either  as  sensitive  as  the  apple  of  the  eye,  or  as 
senseless  as  the  cinder,  can  paralyze  or  galvanize  the  fac- 
ulty of  faith. 

2.  This  faculty  may  be  impaired  also  by  an  exclusive 
attention  to  the  exact  sciences,  which  accomplishes  the 
sad  result  in  various  ways.  It  narrows  the  field  of  mental 
vision.  How  feeble  the  eye  of  him  who  spends  life  in  a 
dark  room,  striking  at  minute  points,  compared  with  that 
of  the  sailor,  accustomed  to  survey  the  broad  ocean  from 
the  mast-head  I  so  powerless  is  that  mental  eye  which  is 
trained  to  accurate  discriminations  and  nice  definition, 
in  comparison  with  one  which  takes  comprehensive  views. 
The  great  mathematician,  when  he  takes  wide  surveys  of 
life  and  character,  much  more  when  he  approaches  that 
subject  which  fills  both  immensity  and  eternity,  may  be  a 


116  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

little  reasoner.  The  immortal  author  of  Celestial  Mechan- 
ism— La  Place — is  an  impressive  illustration.  Illustri- 
ous beyond  comparison  as  a  professor  of  mathematics,  he 
was  perfectly  contemptible  as  a  statesman.  In  less  than 
six  weeks,  by  his  mistakes,  as  Minister  of  the  Home 
Department,  under  the  consulship,  he  forfeited  his  place. 
In  the  language  of  Napoleon,  "  His  mind  was  occupied 
with  subtilities,  his  notions  were  all  problematic,  his 
views  were  never  right,  and  he  carried  the  spirit  of  the 
infinitely  little  into  the  administration."  No  wonder  that 
he  had  not  sufficient  breadth  of  view  to  scan  the  Chris- 
tian evidences.  Moreover,  mathematical  studies  weaken 
faith  by  familiarizing  the  mind  to  indubitable  evidence. 
This  inclines  us  to  be  dissatisfied  with  every  thing  less. 
Demonstration  proceeds  by  regular  steps,  inseparably  con- 
nected, accurately  delineated,  and  leading  to  conclusions 
the  contradictories  of  which  are  absurd.  Moral  reason- 
ing advances  through  devious  ways,  by  steps  irregular, 
independent,  and  expressed  only  in  ambiguous  forms,  to 
propositions  the  opposites  of  which  imply  no  absurdity; 
hence,  he  who  has  long  and  steadily  looked  only  at  ab- 
stract ideas  and  their  relations,  will  be  unable  to  appre- 
ciate moral  proof,  however  strong,  as  he  who  should  spend 
years  gazing  upon  the  glowing  fires  of  Stromboli  would 
have  an  eye  insensible  to  the  soft  charms  of  earth  and 
skies. 

3.  Faith  may  be  impaired  by  the  habit  of  disputation. 
This  is  neither  uncommoa  nor  difficult  to  be  acquired. 
That  energetic  exercise  of  the  mind  which  is  provoked 
by  an  antagonist  is  pleasurable,  the  applause  awarded  to 
superior  information  or  intellectual  prowess  is  very  agree- 
able, and  the  shout  of  victory  is  most  refreshing  to  de- 
praved human  nature.  Moreover,  some  men  are  prone  to 
battle  as  the  sparks  fly  upward.  When  such  have  weak 
muscles  and  strong  minds  they  fight,  like  certain  ani- 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  117 

mals,  head  foremost,  and,  like  the  ram  of  prophetic  vi- 
sion, they  often  push  their  moral  horns  with  equal  facility 
in  opposite  points  of  compass.  Imagine  a  boy  of  good 
parts  and  pugnacious  spirit  among  inferior  minds  in  the 
district  school.  He  overcomes  in  debate,  one  after  an- 
other, all  around  him,  till,  flushed  with  success,  and  in- 
toxicated with  praise,  he  is  carried  by  his  comrades  from 
school-house  to  school-house,  as  a  game-cock  with  gaffles 
is  conveyed  to  the  neighboring  roosts.  At  length  he  ia 
brought  to  college,  and  placed  in  a  society  which  assigns 
its  members,  without  reference  to  their  convictions,  the 
propositions  they  are  to  establish.  It  is  easy  to  predict 
the  character  of  mind  with  which  he  will  go  forth  into 
the  world.  There  are  facts  and  arguments  on  both  sides 
of  every  moral  question.  Such  a  question  can  only  be 
determined  by  the  mental  balance.  To  use  this  properly 
there  must  be  patient  observation,  careful  discrimination, 
and  a  steady  suspension  of  the  scales;  but  for  these 
operations  a  mind  under  the  influence  of  controversial 
training  is  incompetent.  The  only  two  questions  which 
any  subject  admits  of  are,  1.  What  is  the  truth  ?  2.  Is 
this  proposition  true  ?  The  former  is  that  of  the  philos- 
opher— it  leaves  the  mind  free  from  improper  bias,  and 
trains  it  to  honest  inference;  the  latter  is  the  question 
of  the  disputant — it  stimulates  the  pride  of  the  speaker, 
and  fits  his  mind  to  run  athwart  its  most  solemn  convic- 
tions, in  the  eager  search  for  middle  terms.  I  will  not 
say  that  the  office  of  the  disputant  is  never  useful,  nor 
that  it  may  not  be  safely  discharged  when  it  succeeds  a 
process  of  investigation ;  but  I  do  affirm  that  a  contro- 
versial spirit,  leading  the  mind,  as  occasion  may  require, 
to  undervalue per/eci  evidence  and  overrate  imperfect;  to 
blend  things  of  diff'erent  species;  to  take  advantage  of 
the  ambiguities  of  language ;  to  overlook  facts  important 
to  the  issues,  and  bring  in  facts  irrelevant;  to  confound 


118  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  incidental  with  the  essential,  the  important  with 
the  trivial,  the  accidental  with  the  uniform  j  to  invert 
the  order  of  sequences;  or  to  rush  rashly  to  general  con- 
clusions, has  a  tendency  not  only  to  mingle  truth  and 
error,  but  to  unsettle,  in  the  disputant's  own  mind,  the 
very  fotindation  of  the  power  of  belief.  Talk  as  we  may 
about  the  irresistible  force  of  evidence,  we  all  know  that 
feeling  warps  the  judgment,  both  directly  moving  the 
will  to  put  the  intellect  in  a  wrong  relation  to  the  sub- 
ject, and  withhold  or  distort  the  proof  which  bears  upon 
it,  and  indirectly,  by  influencing  the  train  of  association 
and  giving  tone  to  the  mind.  To  have  a  perfect  impres- 
sion, we  need  both  a  perfect  seal  and  a  wax  of  proper 
consistence.  If  we  at  once  mar  the  seal  and  harden  the 
wax,  what  can  we  expect  ?  The  youth  who  leaves  school 
a  practiced  debater  will,  in  all  probability,  not  only  be- 
come a  moral  porcupine,  the  annoyance  of  every  com- 
pany into  which  he  enters,  but,  by  degrees,  a  thorough- 
paced infidel.  He  will  be  strongly  tempted  to  assail  the 
religion  of  his  fathers,  for  the  sake  of  always  having  an 
opportunity  to  gratify  his  propensity  for  combat  and  fond- 
ness for  display;  and,  by  repeatedly  distorting  the  Chris- 
tian evidences,  and  assuming  a  hostile  attitude  to  the 
Gospel,  he  will  finally  become  an  earnest  enemy  of  the 
faith. 

The  case  of  Chillingworth  is  an  illustration.  He 
would  often  walk  in  the  college  grove,  and  dispute  with 
any  scholar  he  met,  on  purpose  to  facilitate  and  make  the 
way  of  wrangling  common  with  him.  While  yet  a  youth, 
he  produced,  by  his  perpetual  disputation  on  religious 
subjects,  such  a  skeptical  state  of  mind  that  he  con- 
ceived it  impossible  to  arrive  at  just  views  of  religion. 
First  he  is  vindicator  of  the  Reformation,  and  the  assail- 
ant of  the  Pope ;  presently  he  enters  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  becomes  the  defender  of  her  faith ;  again 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  119 

he  returns  to  Oxford,  and  becomes  the  champion  of  Prot- 
estantism. He  dwelt  on  the  borders  of  absolute  skepti- 
cism, if  we  may  believe  Lord  Clarendon,  who  says  Mr. 
Chillingworth  had  spent  all  his  younger  days  in  disputa- 
tion, and  had  arrived  at  so  great  a  mastery  that  he  was 
inferior  to  no  man  in  these  skirmishes,  but  had,  with  his 
notable  perfection  in  these  exercises,  contracted  such  an 
irresolution  and  habit  of  doubting,  that,  by  degrees,  he 
grew  confident  of  nothing.  He  was  a  great  disputing 
engine  without  an  engineer.  He  had  reason  enough,  as 
Wood  said,  to  convert  the  devil,  yet  not  enough  to  con- 
vert himself.  This  spirit  may  exist  in  the  Church ; 
foolish  questions,  and  genealogies,  and  strivings  about 
the  law,  and  doting  about  questions,  and  strifes  about 
words,  whereof  cometh  envy,  strife,  railing,  etc. — these 
are  indications  of  moral  cholera. 

But  skepticism  often  results  from  a  too  grea-t  faciltti/ 
of  faith.  There  is  a  man  who  always  holds  the  creed  of 
the  preacher  he  last  heard.  Such  were  some  of  old 
"  driven  about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine ;  by  the  sleight 
of  men  and  cunning  craftiness,  whereby  they  lie  in  wait 
to  deceive."  As  you  ride  through  the  interior,  per- 
chance you  see  behind  you  a  portly,  well-dressed,  elderly 
gentleman,  mounted  on  a  bay  steed,  riding  rapidly,  as  if 
to  overtake  you.  He  is  soon  at  your  side,  making  your 
acquaintance.  You  perceive  by  his  portmanteau  that  he 
is  a  country  doctor,  by  his  countenance  that  he  is  a  sin- 
cere, good-natured  old  man,  and  by  his  conversation  that 
he  is  a  vain,  garrulous,  bookish,  self-made,  but  not  half- 
made  philosopher.  He  measures,  with  his  quick,  black 
eye,  your  nose  and  chin,  and  describes  your  character  ac- 
cording to  Lavater ;  he  surveys  your  cranium,  and  pro- 
nounces you  a  singer  according  to  Gall.  He  inquires 
your  residence,  parentage,  and  pursuit;  but  finding  it 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive  information,  he  tells 


120  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

you  the  names  and  history  of  the  settlers  as  you  ride  along, 
and,  when  the  village  comes  to  view,  he  points  out  who 
is  its  richest  and  who  is  its  poorest  inhabitant;  who 
keeps  the  best  carriage  and  who  the  best  piano.  He 
quotes  Cicero,  Aristotle,  Darwin,  Hume,  Mohammed, 
and  St.  Paul;  he  would  that  he  was  worth  ten  thou- 
sand dollars!  and  anon  he  is  glad  he  is  not,  for  he  fears 
the  devil  would  set  him  at  work.  Presently  he  tells  you 
he  does  not  believe  there  is  any  devil,  and,  finally,  that 
he  devotes  his  leisure  moments  to  fighting  the  devil  and 
the  orthodox  clergy.  As  he  turns  the  corner  of  the 
street,  he  presses  you  to  call.  Being  delayed  a  day  or 
two  in  the  village,  you  inquire  into  the  doctor's  history, 
and  learn  that  at  eighteen  he  was  a  blacksmith,  at  twenty 
a  parson,  at  thirty  a  millwright,  at  forty  a  doctor,  at  fifty 
a  strolling  lecturer  on  the  quadruple  subject  of  temper- 
ance and  geography,  mnemonics  and  phrenology;  that 
he  has,  however,  seldom  had  but  one  occupation  at  a 
time,  finding  almost  every  year  some  new  path  to  wealth. 
In  the  year  1825  he  could  be  seen,  with  radiant  counte- 
nance, at  the  head  of  a  company  of  merry  youth,  in  the 
valley  of  the  Cuyahoga,  planting  yellow  tobacco ;  in 
1835  he  was  seen,  with  face  beaming  with  joy,  laying 
off  a  city  in  some  swamp  near  the  banks  of  the  Mau- 
mee ;  in  1838  he  is  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Erie,  with 
golden  hopes,  planting  moras  multicaulis  and  hatching 
silk  worms;  in  1840  he  is  manufacturing  beet-sugar  in 
the  oak-openings  of  Michigan ;  in  1847  he  is  volunteer- 
ing for  the  Mexican  war ;  and  in  1849  off  for  Califor- 
nia. In  religion  he  has  tried  all  things,  without,  how- 
ever, holding  fast  to  any.  In  youth  he  is  a  Methodist 
exhorter,  thundering,  flashing,  denouncing,  and  pound- 
ing the  pulpit  without  mercy.  Another  decade  of  years, 
and  he  stands,  with  long  black  robe,  on  the  green  banks 
of  some  crystal  Jordan,  with  head  bathed  in  rich  sun- 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  121 

light,  and  knees  trembling  with  emotion,  while  he  ad- 
dresses the  multitude  that  have  gathered  upon  the 
bridge,  and  the  boys  that  hang  like  bunches  of  grapes 
from  the  surrounding  trees.  When  a  few  gray  hairs 
have  found  their  way  to  his  temple — a  Presbyterian 
elder,  he  is  leading  his  children  up  the  aisle  to  be 
dedicated  to  the  Father  of  mercies.  The  next  half 
decade  finds  him,  with  broad -brimmed  hat  and  drab  coat, 
sitting  in  silent  meeting,  till  the  proffered  hand  gives 
token  of  departure.  He  soon  becomes  a  Mormon,  and 
then  a  Millerite;  but,  ere  the  decade  is  half  out,  he  is 
a  boisterous  and  defiant  infidel,  madly  challenging,  in 
the  streets  and  in  the  papers,  all  and  sundry,  the  par- 
sons to  debate  with  him. 

Your  curiosity  prompts  you  to  call  upon  him,  and  you 
find  him  in  a  long  room,  lined  with  drugs,  books,  and  ap- 
paratus— ^books  rare  and  ill-assorted;  drugs  botanical 
and  mineral,  in  doses  spoonful  and  infinitesimal ;  and  ap- 
paratus to  cure  you  either  by  wind-power,  steam-power, 
or  water-power.  On  his  table  lies  the  Koran,  a  copy  of 
which  he  has  just  procured,  and  is  now  reading.  He 
talks  so  as  to  give  you  no  opportunity  to  reply;  and  to 
give  you  a  proof  of  his  boldness  and  skill,  he  assures 
you  that  the  last  time  he  was  at  Church  he  challenged 
the  successor  of  the  apostles  to  test  his  commission,  by 
taking  a  dose  of  arsenic.  You  leave  him  with  mingled 
pity  and  disgust,  fearing  that  he  is  a  hopeless  case ;  but  a 
year  subsequent — inquiring  after  him — you  learn  that  he 
was  put  into  a  state  of  clairvoyance  and  heard  unutterable 
words,  and  since  that  has  been  a  devoted  Christian. 
Here  is  a  man  of  several  mental  vices,  the  chief  of  which 
is  a  tendency  to  believe  on  insufficient  evidence.  Nor 
is  he  raris  avis.  In  classic  story  we  read  of  one  whose 
body  was  so  light  that  he  was  obliged  to  put  lead  in  his 
shoes  to  prevent  the  wind  from  blowing  him  over — fit 

11 


122  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

emblem  he  of  many  minds;  and  such  minds,  unless 
very  favorably  situated,  are  pretty  sure  to  become  skep- 
tical. 

II.  The  want  of  mental  balance  is  found,  in  some 
cases,  in  the  faculty  of  attention.  Our  ideas  come  in 
troops,  and  their  character  depends  on  fixed  laws  beyond 
our  control.  They  gain  admittance  without  asking  con- 
sent, but  depend  for  entertainment  upon  the  will.  Our 
power  over  them  is  twofold.  We  can  plaet  the  mind  in 
a  region  populated  with  good  thoughts ;  we  can  dismiss 
intruders  by  neglect,  and  detain  desired  guests  by  civil- 
ity. Attention  is  an  effort  to  detain  a  perception  in  ex- 
clusion of  others  which  solicit  notice.  This  faculty  is 
possessed  by  different  persons  in  various  degrees  of 
strength,  and  in  many  is  so  weak  as  to  be  unable  to  di- 
rect the  mind  steadily  to  any  object.  Such  a  one  passes 
life  as  in  a  pleasant  dream.  His  mind  is  on  the  sofa  to 
receive  calls  the  year  round;  as  the  thoughts  come  and 
go  it  seeks  neither  information  nor  profit  from  them, 
and,  its  effort  being  entertainment,  its  recollections  are 
like  images  drawn  on  the  bosom  of  the  wave.  If  all 
subjects  are  viewed  carelessly,  it  is  impossible  that  any 
but  the  most  superficial  should  be  understood.  Convic- 
tion requires  not  only  j^roof,  but  perception.  The  proof, 
even  of  religion,  is  not  so  obvious  as  to  force  itself  upon 
a  mind  which  gives  it  but  a  momentary  notice.  Though 
inattentive  men  may  give  revelation  their  assent,  they 
have  no  basis  of  conviction  to  sustain  them  in  the  hour 
of  temptation.  Some  men  of  this  class  blaspheme,  oth- 
ers "  care  for  none  of  these  things ;"  others  say  they  try 
to  think,  but  can  not.  When  they  would  meditate  upon 
divine  things,  even  on  the  day  of  rest  in  the  holy  place, 
or  at  the  hour  of  stillness,  in  the  retreat  of  secret  prayer, 
other  thoughts  rush  on  them,  and  they  find  their  minds 
like  the  fool's  eyes.     Many  of  these  persons,  being  pos- 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  123 

sessed  of  some  good  mental  powers,  when  they  can  be 
brought  to  fix  their  attention,  form  correct  judgments ; 
and,  since  common  topics  and  temporal  interests  press 
upon  them  constantly,  they  may  be  wise  in  little 
matters  and  judicious  in  worldly  concerns,  while  they  are 
fools  in  all  that  is  sublime,  and  neglectful  of  eternal  real- 
ities. 

This  class  is  numerous.  Go  into  the  streets  and  stores, 
and  you  find  multitudes  who  pay  attention  to  things  only 
as  they  are  forced  upon  thera.  Because  polities,  fashion, 
and  trade  press  themselves  on  the  senses,  and  mix  them- 
selves with  the  passions,  they  are  politicians,  or  dandies, 
or  tradesmen;  and  because  religion  does  not  obtrude  it- 
self on  them,  they  know  but  little  about  it ;  they  go  to 
meeting  because  custom  or  weariness  leads  them  ;  they 
hear  of  redemption,  and  grace,  and  regeneration,  and 
they  suppose,  because  they  have  heard  these  terms  so 
often,  that  they  understand  themj  but  when  asked  to  de- 
fine, they  find  themselves  in  the  situation  of  St.  Austin 
defining  time,  who  said,  "I  understood  all  about  it  be- 
fore I  was  asked,  but  now  I  know  nothing  of  it."  They, 
perhaps,  have  no  objection  to  religion,  and  can  hear  the 
preacher  without  ofi'ense,  or,  may  be,  as  one  who  has  a 
pleasant  voice,  and  plays  well  on  an  instrument;  but 
since  they  are  unmindful  of  his  words  they  are  unmoved 
by  them.  They  are  infidels,  as  the  modern  Aristophanes 
was.  Mr.  Boswell  asked  Dr.  Johnson  if  Foote  was  an 
infidel.  "He  is,"  said  the  Doctor,  "as  a  dog  is;  he 
never  thinks  on  the  subject."  This  species  of  infidel 
may  be  found  at  all  elevations  of  society,  but  particularly 
at  the  higher,  and  especially  in  that  portion  of  it  which 
has  been  raised  suddenly.  Of  such  it  may  often  be  said, 
"Their  houses  are  safe  from  fear,  neither  is  the  rod  of 
God  upon  them;  they  send  forth  their  little  ones  like 
a  flock,  and  their  children  dance ;  they  take  the  timbrel 


124  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

and  harp,  and  rejoice  at  tlie  sound  of  the  organ.  .  .  . 
Therefore  they  say  depart  from  us;  for  we  desire  not  the 
knowledge  of  thy  ways.  What  is  the  Almighty,  that  we 
should  serve  him  ?  or  what  profit  should  we  have  if  we 
pray  unto  him!"  Well  may  the  Psalmist  reason  with 
such :  "  Understand,  ye  brutish  and  ye  fools,  when  will 
ye  be  wise?  He  that  planted  the  ear,  shall  he  not  hear? 
he  that  formed  the  eye,  shall  he  not  see '!  he  that  chas- 
tiseth  the  heathen,  shall  not  he  correct?  he  that  teacheth 
man  knowledge,  shall  not  he  know?"  We  could  forgive 
the  beast  were  he  to  receive  his  food  without  gratitude,  and 
regard  his  master  without  attention;  but  "the  ox  know- 
eth  his  master,  and  the  ass  his  master's  crib."  We 
might  pardon  the  brute  should  he  murmur  in  the  midst 
of  abundance ;  but,  while  "  the  wild  ass  brays  not  in  the 
midst  of  his  grass,  and  the  ox  lows  not  over  his  fodder," 
the  thoughtless  sinner,  forgetful  of  his  almighty  Bene- 
factor, often  utters  blasphemies  over  his  table.  We  can 
forgive  the  bird  that  sinks  to  roost  at  evening  shade,  and 
rises  up  at  morning  light,  regardless  of  every  thing  but 
present  pleasure  and  present  pain — that  gives  no  atten- 
tion to  itg  origin,  interest,  or  destiny;  but,  alas!  "the 
stork  knoweth  his  appointed  time,  and  the  turtle,  and 
the  crane,  and  the  swallow  the  time  of  their  coming," 
while  men,  endued  with  reason,  and  moral  sense,  and  an 
apprehension  of  God,  and  a  revelation  of  his  will,  can 
spend  a  long  life  absorbed  in  the  petty  interests  of  life, 
and  give  no  attention  to  any  thing  which  does  not  grat- 
ify sense,  or  appetite,  or  animal  passion. 

III.  Sometimes  the  want  of  mental  balance  is  found 
in  the  faculty,  or  process,  if  you  please,  of  abstraction. 
By  this  we  resolve  a  complex  idea,  and  separately  con- 
sider one  or  more  of  its  elements.  This  process  can 
scarce  be  overrated.  Without  it  neither  the  poet  nor 
the  artist  could  form  his  beautiful  creations.     His  power 


MENTAL    SYMMETET.  125 

of  combination  were  useless  without  materials.  Whence 
can  he  obtain  materials,  but  by  abstracting  from  complex 
ideas  ?  Without  it  we  could  have  no  philosophy ;  for 
what  is  philosophy  but  generalization  ?  and  this  implies 
abstraction.  Without  it  we  could  have  no  reasoning,  at 
least  of  the  demonstrative  kind.  Without  it,  indeed, 
what  better  were  mankind  than  the  brute  ?  Deprive 
them  of  abstraction,  and  you  rob  them  of  language ;  de- 
prive them  of  language,  and  you  set  them  with  the  beasts 
of  the  field.  Though  all  human  minds  possess  it,  yet 
some  have  it  in  so  small  a  degree  that  they  rarely  attain 
to  comprehensive  views  or  general  truths.  They  survey 
the  fields  that  encompass  their  native  village  without 
ever  reaching  the  ideas  of  vegetation  or  germination; 
they  amuse  themselves  with  the  cat  that  purs  at  their 
feet,  and  the  dog  that  bears  them  company,  without 
thinking  of  the  classes  and  orders  of  animated  nature  j 
they  shiver  in  winter,  and  perspire  in  summer,  without 
any  notions  of  zones  and  latitudes;  they  whistle  with 
their  shopmates,  and  sing  songs  with  their  merry  wives, 
without  ever  reaching  the  great  idea  of  man ;  they  look 
up  to  the  heavens  without  seeing  God.  Whether  they 
mark  the  moon  walking  in  brightness,  or  the  stars  that 
glitter  in  her  train ;  whether  they  hail  the  rising  sun,  or 
repose  in  the  evening  beams;  whether  they  survey  the 
well-poised  central  orb,  or  the  planets  wheeling  in  their 
spheres,  they  see  naught  but  sights  charming  to  sense — 
no  goodness,  nor  order,  nor  might,  nor  design ;  these  are 
all  abstractions.  Nor,  hence,  the  glorious  concrete  which 
they  imply — the. great  I  AM.  They  walk  the  earth,  or 
plow  and  plant  it,  or  mold  some  of  its  productions  into 
useful  or  beautiful  forms,  without  perceiving  the  distinc- 
tion between  the  instrument  and  the  agent,  the  muscle 
and  the  mind.  They  think  and  feel,  without  thinking 
themselves  up  to  the  idea  of  soul ;  they  seem  lost  in  the 


126  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

visible,  the  tangible,  the  temporal.  Of  such  the  poet 
speaks  in  these  words : 

"  Fools  never  raise  their  thoughts  so  high : 
Like  brutes  they  lire,  like  brutes  they  die, 
Like  brutes  they  flourish,  till  thy  breath 
Blasts  them  iu  everlasting  death." 

What  can  such  a  one  think  of  worship  in  spirit  and  in 
truth  ?  Would  jou  have  him  adore  ?  You  must  give 
him  something  visible.  Would  you  have  him  worship  ? 
You  must  put  an  emblem  in  his  hands.  How  diflFerent 
the  Christian  philosopher!  He  garners  truth — abstract 
truth — wherever  he  turns ;  he  emerges  from  the  limited 
circle  of  home  and  friends  to  survey  humanity,  and 
sympathize  with  its  wants  and  sorrows ;  he  distinguishes, 
not  only  between  the  vegetable  and  the  animal,  but  the 
animal  and  the  rational,  the  rational  and  the  spiritual. 
By  abstracting  evidences  of  design  from  the  face  of  na- 
ture, he  obtains  an  impressive  idea  of  an  intelligent 
First  Cause.  By  the  same  means  he  traces  the  wisdom, 
power,  and  goodness  of  the  Creator;  and,  adding  to 
them  the  idea  of  infinity  and  eternity  suggested  within 
him,  he  lives,  and  moves,  and  has  his  being  in  God.  It 
was  by  a  series  of  abstractions,  for  example,  that  Newton 
climbed  to  the  top  of  the  universe,  and  caught  that 
glimpse  of  God  which  made  him  adore  for  the  rest  of 
life.  By  the  same  process  he  learned  to  see,  like  Moses, 
Him  that  is  invisible  through  the  smoke  of  Sinai,  and, 
like  Paul,  Him  that  is  eternal  through  the  flesh  of  Jesus. 
Thus,  too,  an  ancient,  but  not  less  worthy  sage,  who 
looked  through  the  heavens  to  the  glory,  through  the 
firmament  to  the  hand,  through  the  sun  to  Him  that  set 
his  tabernacle;  who,  all  through  the  spheres,  heard  a 
voice,  and  all  through  the  earth  saw  a  line;  who,  when 
he  sought  to  cover  himself  with  darkness,  found  the 
night  turned  to  light  about  him,  and,  when  he  would 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  127 

hide  within  his  own  breast,  found  the  candle  of  the  Lord 
tracing  his  thought  afar  off.  Do  not  misunderstand  me. 
Men  do  not  become  Christians  by  abstraction,  but  by 
faith;  but  I  would  have  you  mark  how  abstraction  and 
its  attendant  processes  aid  faith,  and  how  the  absence 
or  imperfection  of  them  may  predispose  to  infidelity 
or  intrench  it.  The  best  gifts  may  be  perverted.  There 
is  a  devilish  abstraction  often  associated  with  great 
genius,  which  can  go  through  all  the  works  of  God  for- 
getful of  his  hand;  can  carry  its  lamp  through  all  sci- 
ence without  seeing  him;  can  wing  its  way  to  all  worlds, 
and  sing  its  song  under  the  gate  of  heaven,  without 
thinking  of  him.  Hellish  metaphysics,  that  can  ab- 
stract, for  its  contemplation,  the  earth — God's  footstool — 
from  his  feet;  the  heaven — God's  throne — from  his  maj- 
esty; the  clouds — God's  chariot — from  his  presence;  the 
thunder  —  God's  voice — from  its  teachings;  the  wings 
of  the  wind,  on  which  he  walketh,  from  the  impress  of 
his  footsteps;  that  can  even  abstract  the  human  soul 
from  the  universal  spirit  in  which  it  breathes,  and  the 
universe  from  the  arms  which  bear  it  up. 

The  Almighty  has  mercifully  regarded  human  infirmi- 
ties. In  Paradise  he  walked  visibly  in  the  garden ;  in 
the  patriarchal  dispensation  he  conversed  with  men  by 
his  angels,  and  gave  them  altars  and  sacrifices  for  his 
worship.  When  he  led  his  chosen  people  out  of  bond- 
age, he  put  a  cloud  before  them  by  day,  and  a  pillar  of 
fire  by  night.  When  he  gave  them  a  law,  he  did  it  in 
the  midst  of  thunder,  and  lightning,  and  smoke,  and  an 
audible  and  mysterious  voice.  All  this  was  adapted  W 
a  low  state  of  intellectual  cultivation,  in  which  the  mind 
was  taken  up  with  the  outer  world,  having  only  reached 
the  borders  of  the  region  of  abstract  thought.  In  the 
fullness  of  time,  Christ  came  to  preach  peace,  through 
his  blood,  in  accents  of  mercy.     Even  under  the  present 


>««■ 


128  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

dispensation  we  are  not  entirely  without  aids  for  the 
mind  in  its  ascent  to  spiritual  things.  We  have  church- 
es, Sabbaths,  ministers,  and  a  few  simple  but  significant 
symbols.  He  who  neglects  them  is  criminal;  so  he  who 
rests  in  them.  God  is  a  spirit.  The  case  of  the  heathen 
we  are  not  called  on  to  judge;  but,  surely,  we,  who  har- 
ness the  lightning  for  horses,  may  ascend  the  heavens  to 
worship.  The  world  is  hastening  to  another  dispensa- 
tion, in  which,  perhaps,  there  need  be  no  sanctuary,  built 
by  hands;  for  no  one  shall  say  to  another,  "Know  ye  the 
Lord?"  We  are  called  on  to  prepare  for  this  state  of 
things,  or  for  one  analogous ;  for  in  the  world  where  men 
are  as  the  angels  of  God  they  need  no  candle,  neither 
light  of  the  sun,  for  the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light. 

IV.  The  want  of  mental  balance  is  often  found  in  the 
imagination — that  faculty  which,  electing,  with  a  nice 
perception,  from  the  train  of  associated  thought,  the 
beautiful  or  the  sublime,  combines  them,  with  a  delicate 
appreciation  of  relations,  in  enchanting  forms.  This  is 
the  artist  of  the  mind,  and  it  decorates  all  her  chambers 
with  pictures  and  statuary,  and  perfumes  them  with  pre- 
cious odors.  It  may  unbalance  the  mind  either  by  its  ex- 
cessive or  defective  action.  The  former  will  carry  it  from 
the  outer  world  to  wander  through  Eden  or  through  hell; 
the  latter  will  make  the  real  world  one  of  mere  blood  and 
bones,  of  granite  and  grass.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to 
treat  of  imagination  any  further  than  it  is  related  to  the 
reasoning  power;  nor  this,  only  so  far  as  to  show  its  influ- 
ence on  faith.  For  imagination  is  not  only  a  soother  of 
human  sorrows,  a  builder  of  joyous  homes,  an  enchantress 
leading  the  soul  up  the  steeps  of  lofty  conception  to 
bright  and  boundless  visions,  but,  in  its  sober  moods,  is 
the  handmaid  of  reason,  the  friend  of  God :  hence,  skep- 
ticism generally  denounces  and  affects  to  despise  it. 

Imagination  aids  faith  by  aiding  its  indispensable  con- 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  129 

dition — apprehension.  Every  description  is  an  outline 
merely,  which  imagination  must  fill  up,  to  give  it  resem- 
blance to  reality,  and  make  us  feel  the  force  of  analogy 
in  favor  of  its  truth.  It  is  needed  in  the  interpretation 
of  prophecy.  The  prophets  speak  in  figurative  language, 
and  their  words  can  not  be  properly  appreciated  by  one 
whose  imagination  is  torpid.  It  is  requisite  that  we  may 
feel  the  force  of  the  evidences  of  revelation.  The  exter- 
nal evidences  being  adapted  to  the  mass  of  mankind,  in 
whom  the  imagination  is  generally  strong,  he  who  re- 
presses this  power,  to  the  same  degree  puts  himself  out 
of  a  proper  relation  to  these  evidences.  The  internal 
evidences  are  founded  in  the  value  of  revelation ;  and 
since  it  is  adapted  to  the  wants  of  man,  how  can  any  one 
fully  appreciate  it  who  is  unable  to  feel  the  great  heart 
of  humanity?  and  how  shall  one  do  this  without  the 
faculty  which  enables  us  to  rejoice  with  them  that  re- 
joice, and  weep  with  them  that  weep  ?  The  Bible  points 
to  scenes  on  high,  and  fancy  helps  faith  to  feel  the  pow- 
ers of  the  world  to  come. 

There  is  a  large  section  of  skeptical  minds  who,  by  an 
exclusive  attention  to  natural  science,  extinguish  all  that 
is  warming  and  expansive  in  the  soul.  These  men  would 
raise  children  as  they  do  hogs,  by  placing  them  in  favor- 
able circumstances  to  fatten,  and,  when  they  are  grown, 
would  measure  them  with  a  three-foot  rule,  and  weigh 
them  in  the  hay-scales;  would  estimate  their  hearts  by 
the  pulsations  at  their  wrists,  and  their  brains  by  an  elec- 
trometer. They  would  test  the  Bible  by  the  rule  of 
three,  and  estimate  piety  by  the  laws  of  physiology 
They  live  in  a  world  of  exclusive  matter,  where  all  util- 
ities are  measured  by  inches,  and  all  profit  and  loss  de- 
noted by  dollars  and  cents.  Surely,  this  is  philosophy 
falsely  so  called. 

Equally  injurious  is  an  excessive    imagination.      By 


ISO  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

presenting  every  thing  in  distorted  proportions,  it  pre- 
vents a  correct  apprehension  of  any  thing;  divorcing  the 
heart  from  the  conduct,  it  unfits  us  for  a  right  estimate 
of  morality;  shunning  the  real  world,  it  destroys  our 
sympathy  with  man,  and  our  interests  in  what  concerns 
him — happy  if  it  do  not  press  us  to  the  borders  of  de- 
rangement. There  are  many  skeptics  of  this  class,  of 
whom  Rousseau  may  be  taken  as  a  type.  Geneva,  in  the 
early  part  of  the  last  century,  gave  birth  to  this  remark- 
able man.  His  mother  dying  young,  and  his  father  be- 
ing engaged  in  the  humble  duties  of  an  artisan,  his 
mind  was  permitted  to  grow  as  a  vegetable  in  the  wil- 
derness, deriving  nourishment  from  the  soil  in  which 
it  was  accidentally  placed,  and  sending  forth  its  branches 
without  direction  or  repression  from  human  skill.  At 
the  age  of  seven  he  was  an  eager  devourer  of  romances; 
at  eighLhe  committed  Plutarch's  Lives  to  heart;  a^  nine 
he  read  Tacitus  and  Grotius;  at  ten  he  was  placed  in  the 
care  of  a  country  clergyman;  and  at  fourteen  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  an  engraver.  Running  away  from  his  mas- 
ter, he  wandered  upon  the  mountains  of  Savoy,  till  the 
prospect  of  starvation  induced  him  to  renounce  the 
Protestant  faith  for  the  sake  of  a  support  from  the 
mother  Church ;  placed  in  a  monastery,  he  soon  made 
his  escape,  and,  after  many  adventures,  at  length  found 
a  patroness  in  Madame  de  Warens,  of  Annecy,  with  whom 
he  remained  till  he  was  twenty.  He  then  went  to  France 
as  music  teacher,  in  which  capacity  he  maintained  him- 
self with  various  fortune  till  1742,  when  he  was  appointed 
secretary  to  the  French  embassador  of  Venice ;  quarrel- 
ing with  his  employer,  he  returned  to  France  to  resume 
his  former  occupation,  and  devote  attention  to  natural 
science.  In  1750  he  commenced  author,  and  at  difi"er- 
ent  but  not  distant  periods  he  composed  numerous 
works;  the  last  of  which  excited  so  much  opposition, 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  181 

that  he  found  it  difficult  to  procure  a  resting-place  for 
his  feet,  either  in  France  or  Switzerland.  In  a  misera- 
ble and  misanthropic  old  age,  and  after  a  fruitless,  aim- 
less, and  romantic,  though  gloomy  life,  he  found  a  grave 
in  the  Isle  of  Poplars.  Though  possessed  of  a  qjia^  of 
peerless  power,  a  jigart  of  exquisite  tenderness,  a  jfj^  - 
of  surpassing  beauty,  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  hu- 
man breast,  and  an  extensive  acquaintance  with  the 
•world,  his  powers,  because  ill -balanced,  were  always  ques- 
tionably, often  perniciously,  employed. 

His  works  evince  knowledge  that  would  honor  Bacon,  \ 
with  ignorance  that  would  disgrace  a  school-boy;  princi-  • 
pies  worthy  of  Socrates,  with  sentiments  that  should 
shame  a  rake;  imaginings  gorgeous  as  Plato's,  mingled 
with  ravings  like  those  of  madness.  But,  to  be  more  j 
specific,  the  want  of  mental  balance  in  Rousseau  is  evi- 1 
dent  both  from  his  opinions  and  conduct. 

1.  His  opinions  are  characterized  by  extravagance. 
His  first  essay,  which  drew  the  prize  of  the  Academy, 
was  written  to  prove  that  the  re-establishment  of  the  arts 
and  sciences  has  been  unfavorable  to  morality,  which 
was  evidently  a  hasty  induction.  In  his  essay  on  the  in- 
equalities among  mankind,  he  maintains  that  savage  life 
is  superior  to  civilized — a  notion  which,  being  contrary 
to  the  sober  judgment  of  the  enlightened  world,  no  well- 
informed,  well-balanced  head  could  adopt.  In  his  Eme- 
ji^us,  treating  of  education,  he  lays  down,  as  his  funda- 
mental principle,  that  every  thing  should  be  left  to  na- 
ture— a  principle  which  needs  but  to  be  stated  to  be  re- 
futed. 

2.  His  works  evince  inconsistency.  In  the  one  last 
noticed  he  draws  a  lively  and  affecting  picture  of  Jesus. 
But  in  the  same  work  in  which  he  records  this  beautiful 
vindication  of  the  blessed  Jesus  and  his  Gospel,  he  at- 
tempts to  stab  both  to  the  heart,  by  representing  Christ 


132  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

as  an  impostor,  and  his  Gospel  as  founded  on  false  pre* 
tensions. 

3.  Absurdity.  Though  he  courted  flattery  and  rel- 
ished favor,  he  was  accustomed,  late  in  life,  to  insult 
those  who  offered  him  the  incense  of  their  praise,  and  to 
interpret  the  world's  approbation  of  him  as  a  persecution 
instituted  against  him  by  literary  men. 

His  conduct  bears  no  less  evident  marks  of  ill-disci- 
plined mind.  It  is  characterized  by  extravagance.  His 
demeanor  in  youth  provoked  his  father  to  drive  him 
from  home;  early  in  his  apprenticeship  he  steals  from 
his  master,  and  runs  away  to  avoid  the  consequences; 
next  we  hear  of  him  as  a  footman,  in  which  situation  he 
repeats  the  crime  of  theft,  adding  to  it  that  of  perjury; 
escaping  from  service  again,  he  is  an  outcast  and  a  vaga- 
bond ;  soon  we  see  him  seeking  shelter  and  food  in  a 
monastery,  and  anon  breaking  away  to  go  through  a  se- 
ries of  adventures,  till  necessity  brought  him  again  to 
the  door  of  the  Church.  But  these  are  his  years  of  boy- 
hood. Let  us  trace  his  manhood.  Dissatisfied  with  an 
occupation  of  his  own  choosing,  he  aspires  to  political 
favor;  receiving  it  at  the  hands  of  Montague,  he  quar- 
rels*with  his  patron,  and  quits  in  disgust  a  post  he  had 
sought  with  avidity.  Becoming  an  author,  he  attracts 
the  popular  praise  by  an  opera,  and  then  turns  it  into  a 
storm  of  wrath  by  a  letter  on  French  music.  By  his 
work  on  education  he  draws  from  Parliament  upon  his 
favorite  pages  a  condemnation  to  the  flames,  and  upon 
his  person  a  sentence  of  imprisonment;  he  provokes  his 
native  city,  as  he  seeks  an  asylum  within  her  walls,  to 
close  her  gates  against  him,  and  send  her  hangman  to 
burn  his  writings ;  he  rouses  the  populace  of  Neufchatel, 
the  city  of  his  refuge,  to  compel  him  to  flee  at  peril  of 
his  life;  causes  Berne  to  drive  him  from  Peter's  Island 
in  the  most  inclement  season  of  the  year;  and  induces 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  133 

England,  who  opened  a  peaceful  bosom  for  his  weary 
head,  to  look  upon  his  retreating  footsteps  with  the  indig- 
nation due  to  a  flying  ingrate.  Persecution,  in  itself,  is 
no  proof  of  a  want  of  duly-regulated  mind,  but  when  it 
comes  from  all  parties  it  is,  prima  facie.  Rousseau  was 
persecuted  alike  by  Catholic  France  and  Protestant  Ge- 
neva; by  fickle  Paris  and  steady  London;  by  pious 
bishops  and  infidel  philosophers;  by  the  unthinking 
crowd  and  the  meditative  Hume.  We  can  understand 
how  a  man  of  good  sense  may,  in  this  wicked  world,  in 
defense  of  some  high  and  holy  principle,  provoke  the  op- 
position of  all  parties,  but  not  how  such  a  one  can  do  so 
in  endeavoring  to  upset  all  righteous  principle. 

Rousseau's  conduct  also  is  stamped  with  inconsistency. 
He  writes  a  pastoral  for  the  stage,  and  then  inveighs 
bitterly  against  theatrical  corruption.  He  praises  integ- 
rity, yet  changes  his  religion  twice — once  for  bread,  and 
once  for  protection.  He  writes  a  treatise  on  education, 
and  commits  his  own  children  to  the  foundling  hospital. 
While  an  infidel  at  heart,  he  professes  the  Christian  re- 
ligion. Advocating  the  purest  morality,  he  is,  by  his 
own  confession,  a  thief,  a  liar,  and  a  debauchee.  It  was 
at  an  advanced  age  that  he  said,  "I  have  been  a  rogue, 
and  am  still  so  for  trifles  which  I  had  rather  take  than 
ask  for."  In  reference  to  his  licentiousness,  his  perfidy, 
and  his  want  of  natural  aff"ection,  nothing  need  be  said 
to  those  who  know  his  history. 

His  conduct,  in  many  particulars,  is  absurd.  While 
with  a  stubborn  infidelity  he  rejects  the  Christian  relig- 
ion, though  his  mind  perceives  its  evidence,  and  his 
heart  feels  its  purity,  he  receives  witk  an  easy  faith  the 
baseless  systems  of  French  philosophy,  which  teach  that 
animal  vigor  is  the  perfection  of  man,  and  animal  pleas- 
ure the  acme  of  human  happiness.  He  maintains  the 
sufficiency  of  reason  to  discover  a  complete  and  comforta- 


134  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ble  scheme  of  natural  religion,  yet  confesses  himself  agi- 
tated and  distressed  with  his  doubts.  Professing  love 
for  men,  he  employs  his  matchless  arts  to  infuse  into 
their  minds  the  poison  which  corrupts  his  own.  Pre- 
tending to  teach  the  science  of  happiness,  he  curses  his 
own  birth  as  a  misfortune.  Priding  himself  upon  the 
inductive  philosophy,  he  amuses  himself  with  fanciful 
hypotheses.  Strange  compound  of  vice  and  virtue,  igno- 
rance and  wisdom,  prayer  and  blasphemy,  faith  and  skep- 
ticism! It  is  easy  to  see  in  his  mind  the  preponder- 
ating influence  of  imagination.  Says  Madame  de  Stael, 
"I  believe  that  imagination  was  the  strongest  of  his 
faculties,  and  that  it  had  almost  absorbed  all  the  rest. 
He  dreamed  rather  than,  existed;  and  the  events  of  his 
life  might  be  said  more  properly  to  have  passed  in  his 
mind  than  without  him — 'a  mode  of  being'  which  did 
not  hinder  him  from  observing,  but  rendered  his  obser- 
vations erroneous.  His  imagination  sometimes  inter- 
posed between  his  reason  and  his  affections,  and  de- 
stroyed their  influence." 

A  few  questions  and  inferences,  and  I  have  done. 
Have  not  those  who  have  impaired  their  power  of  belief 
some  excuse  for  skepticism  ?  No  more  than  the  drunk- 
ard, who,  by  his  intemperance,  has  disqualified  himself 
for  the  practice  of  virtue.  Are  they  not,  however,  de- 
serving of  peculiar  sympathy?  No  more  than  the  Chris- 
tian, who  professes  Christ  in  prospect  of  the  stake ;  the 
difficulty  of  belief  in  the  one  case  is  not  greater  than  the 
difficulty  of  obedience  in  the  other.  Is  not  the  case  of 
such  a  one  hopeless?  Nay;  because  the  will  has  power 
over  belief.  General  Taylor,  when  asked  the  secret  of 
his  success  at  Buena  Vista,  said,  "  During  all  that  bloody 
and  unequal  conflict,  I  never  allowed  myself  for  one  mo- 
ment to  doubt  that  I  should  be  victor;"  and  he  expressed 
in  these  words  a  truth  which  every  man  feels.     More- 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY.  135 

over,  the  skeptic  acts  in  common  affairs  on  doubtful  evi- 
dence. He  can  not  demonstrate  that  he  will  succeed  in 
business;  that  his  money  will  pass;  that  his  food  will 
nourish  him.  If  he  has  faith  enough  to  preserve  his 
natural  life  and  secure  his  temporal  welfare,  he  has 
enough  to  secure  his  spiritual  life  and  provide  for  his 
eternal  welfare. 

If  the  want  of  proper  mental  balance  disqualifies  for 
correct  judgment,  does  it  not  exonerate  us  from  all  blame 
for  our  errors?  Nay;  because  the  balancing  of  the  mind 
is  as  much  in  our  power  as  the  subjugation  of  the  affec- 
tions, or  the  regulation  of  the  life.  I  close  with  a  few 
inferences : 

1.  Though  a  mind  may  be  incapable  of  arriving  at  a 
correct  judgment,  it  may,  nevertheless,  by  reason  of  the 
charms  of  eloquence,  or  other  advantages  which  it  may 
possess,  be  the  means  of  misleading  others.  Housseau's 
essays  upon  the  effect  of  the  sciences,  and  the  origin  and 
progress  of  society,  were  among  the  fruitful  seeds  whence 
sprung  the  French  Revolution  of  1789 — seeds  which 
have  reproduced  themselves  in  the  Revolutions  of  1830 
and  1848 ;  mere  logical  sequences  of  that  of  1789,  and 
which  are  now  leavening  the  whole  mind  of  Europe,  not 
with  the  principles  of  rational  liberty,  but  with  the  vari- 
ous forms  of  socialism,  radicalism,  and  red  revolution- 
ism. 

2.  The  friend  of  man  should  aim  not  merely  at  the 
diffusion  of  knowledge,  but  at  the  proper  training  of 
mind.  Schools,  presses,  books,  lyceums,  lectures  are  not 
enough.  We  must  have  institutions  with  courses  of  in- 
struction so  arranged  as  to  produce  well-proportioned  and 
well-regulated  intellect. 

3.  Nor  is  the  regulation  of  the  intellect  all  that  is  nec- 
essary. The  sensibilities  and  the  will  must  be  developed 
and  trained.     The  intellect  itself  is  often  well  balanced. 


136  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

How  rarely  does  the  world  produce  a  well-developed 
man  !  Look  into  the  Bible,  and  you  may  easily  find  a 
person  distinguished  in  one  or  more  particulars.  A  Pe- 
ter, for  example,  gifted  both  in  intellect  and  sensibilities, 
but  deficient  in  will;  a  Solomon,  mighty  in  intellect  and 
will,  but  wanting  in  sensibilities.  Rarely  do  you  meet 
with  a  Moses  or  a  Paul,  equally  able  to  reach  a  conclu- 
sion, feel  an  obligation,  or  execute  a  purpose.  Look  into 
profane  history,  and  you  meet  the  same  difficulty.  There 
are  Aristotles  who  reason ;  Sapphos  who  can  sing  you  al- 
most into  delirium  with  their  utterances  of  intense  emo- 
tion ;  and  Alexanders  who  put  forth  will,  till  you  tremble 
as  in  the  presence  of  the  Almighty;  but  not  often  do 
we  meet  with  a  Socrates,  presenting,  in  fair  and  beauti- 
ful proportions,  all  the  capacities  and  susceptibilities  of 
exalted  manhood.  Nor  have  modern  nations,  with  all 
their  boasted  advancements,  been  more  fortunate  than 
ancient.  Here  are  the  Bacons,  with  peerless  reason; 
there  the  Napoleons,  with  matchless  will ;  and  there  the 
Byrons,  with  morbid  passions;  but  where  are  the  Lu- 
thers — good,  sound,  symmetrical  men  ? 

4.  The  tendencies  of  the  age  seem  to  oppose  the  full 
development  of  humanity.  Let  me  be  understood.  I  re- 
fer not  now  to  the  proposed  improvements  in  education, 
which  have  a  direct  tendency  to  make  monsters  instead 
of  men ;  but  to  the  progressive  division  of  labor.  It  is 
separating  society  into  castes  as  distinct  as  those  of  India. 
There  is  one  class  running  into  brain,  another  into 
tongue,  another  into  eye,  another  into  foot,  and  another 
into  hand,  so  that  it  will  soon  take  the  whole  human  race 
to  make  one  great  human  animal.  The  different  classes 
are  like  so  many  wheels  in  some  great  complicated  ma- 
chine, each  one  worthless  without  the  rest,  and  each  in- 
dividual, instead  of  being  the  world  in  epitome,  is  like  a 
cog  in  a  cog-wheel.     I  grant  that  this  division  of  labor 


MENTAL    SYMMETRY. 


ISt 


secures  wealth,  art,  and  civilization ;  and  if  the  great  ob- 
ject of  Grod  in  creating  man  was  to  beautify  the  world,  I 
would  have  no  objection;  but  if  not?     God  does  not  cre- 
ate man  for  the  world,  but  the  world  for  man. 
12 


138  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


AY,  there  is  an  inner  world,  and  into  it  I  would  invite 
you.  I  would  not  depreciate  the  outer;  it  is  worthy 
to  be  occupied — ^worthy  to  be  studied,  even  by  angels — 
worthy,  though  cursed,  of  its  almighty  Maker;  its 
paths — so  full  of  melody,  and  fragrance,  and  beauty — 
are  fitted  to  lead  to  heaven,  and  the  starry  vault  which 
overhangs  them  is  a  suitable  portico  to  God's  eternal 
temple.  Praised  be  God  for  the  world  of  matter,  and  all 
its  accompaniments! — for  the  air,  which  not  only  fans 
the  lungs  and  purifies  the  stream  of  life,  but,  at  our 
bidding,  wafts  our  most  secret  thoughts  and  feelings  to 
our  beloved  fellow-minds;  for  the  waters,  which  not  only 
fertilize  and  refresh  the  earth,  but  bind  its  continents 
and  islands  into  one  brotherhood;  for  the  light,  whose 
vibrations  enable  us  to  touch  the  most  distant  planet,  and 
whose  rich  beams  overspread  both  earth  and  sky  with 
charms ! 

"  My  heart  leaps  up  when  I  behold 
A  rainbow  in  the  sky ; 
So  was  it  when  my  life  began, 
So  is  it  now  I  am  a  man; 
So  let  it  be  when  I  grow  old, 

Or  let  me  die."  Wokdswobth. 

Praised  be  God  for  the  body  of  mysterious  senses  and 
capacities — worthy  to  be  the  servant  of  a  rational  soul 
during  its  earthly  pilgrimage,  and,  after  having  been 
purified  in  the  tomb,  to  become  a  partaker  of  her  ever- 
lasting life ! 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  139 

But  there  is  anothei*  world — a  world  which  the  "vul- 
ture's eye  hath  not  seen  and  the  lion's  whelps  have  not 
trodden" — a  world  whence  float  all  those  thoughts  that 
flow  over  the  universe  and  make  it  a  volume  of  truth — a 
world  in  which,  scorning  the  present,  we  range  at  will 
the  future  or  the  past,  and,  heedless  of  place,  we  share 
infinity  with  God. 

When  shall  we  enter  into  it  ?  Not  prematurely :  "  tarry 
at  Jericho  till  your  beard  be  grown."  Nature  designs 
that  the  early  years  of  life  should  be  devoted  chiefly  to 
the  development  of  the  body;  hence  she  entices  her  new- 
born man  to  the  green  bosom  of  the  earth,  and  the  warm 
embraces  of  the  sun,  and  the  full  baptism  of  the  fresh 
and  fragrant  air;  hence,  too,  she  fires  him  with  irresisti- 
ble longings  to  see,  to  taste,  to  feel,  to  leap  exulting  in 
his  new-made  powers.  Thus  she  nourishes,  and  cher- 
ishes, and  molds  him  into  man;  thus  she  gives  him 

"  A  spirit  to  her  rocks  at  in, 
The  eye  of  the  hawk  and  the  fire  therein." 

At  the  same  time  she  fences  up  the  borders  of  the  inner 
world.  Meanwhile  the  goodly  land  of  thought  is  germ- 
inating; and  about  the  time  of  its  first  ripe  grapes,  when 
the  outer  world  loses  some  of  its  charms,  let  the  inner 
open  its  gates.  This  opening,  however,  requires  pa- 
tience, perseverance,  retirement.  Perceptions  being  more 
vivid  than  conceptions,  we  can  not  without  eff"ort  attend 
to  the  latter  in  exclusion  of  the  former.  When  we  turn 
the  mind's  eye  inward,  we  must  either  resign  ourselves 
to  the  train  of  suggested  thought  from  which  we  awake 
as  from  a  dream,  or  we  must  fix  our  attention  upon  some 
one  of  the  series,  in  which  case  we  soon  become  weary, 
as  one  listening  to  the  same  frequently-repeated  note. 
If  we  attempt  to  analyze  our  mental  state  we  become  per- 
plexed ;  for  although  in  the  outer  world  we  are  familiar 
with  the  succession  of  events,  in  the  inner  we  find  all  at 


140  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

first  in  confusion.  No  wonder  we  usually  remain  in  the 
wilderness  of  external  things  till  some  strong  passion,  or 
sense  of  duty,  or  accidental  circumstance,  impels  us  in- 
ward. Alas !  how  many  pass  through  life  without  scarce 
feeling  that  there  is  a  world  within ! 

Vaucauson,  the  celebrated  mechanician,  had  his  taste 
for  mechanics  excited  accidentally.  In  his  boyhood  he 
was  frequently  shut  up  in  a  room  where  there  was  noth- 
ing but  a  clock;  to  amuse  himself  he  studied  its  con- 
struction, till,  at  length,  he  became  acquainted  with  its 
parts  and  their  relations  and  uses.  Ever  afterward  he 
found  his  delight  in  mechanics. 

Happy  for  many  a  man  would  it  be  if  he  could  be  shut 
up  where  there  was  not  even  a  clock,  so  that  he  might  be 
forced  to  examine  the  wonderful  machinery  of  the  spir- 
itual time-piece — the  immortal  soul — till  he  understood 
its  parts,  relations,  and  uses!  How  much  more  likely 
would  he  be  to  set  it  by  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  that 
its  pendulum  might  swing  in  symphony  with  the  spheres, 
and  its  hands  go  round  the  circle  of  duty  in  harmony 
with  the  heavens !  Habitual  inattention  to  the  outer 
world  greatly  promotes  attention  to  the  inner.  The  more 
we  live  the  life  of  sensation  the  less  we  do  the  life  of 
reflection.  "For  the  flesh  lusteth  against  the  spirit,  and 
the  spirit  against  the  flesh,  for  they  are  contrary  to  each 
other."  It  is  said  of  Democritus  that  he  put  out  his 
eyes  in  order  that  he  might  study  philosophy.  The  story 
is  probably  untrue ;  but  it  is  certain  that  Poesy  put  out 
the  eyes  of  Homer  and  of  Milton  before  she  lifted  the 
vail  from  their  glorious  spirits.  I  pity  you  not,  blind 
old  bard  of  Scio's  rocky  isle,  as  you  roll  in  vain  your 
quenched  eyeballs  to  find  a  ray  of  light,  for  so  much  the 
more  melodious  was  the  epic  that  you  warbled  through 
the  listening  cities  of  your  native  seas !  Nor  thee,  thou 
second  Homer,  but  greater  than  the  first,  do  I  pity,"  as 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  141 

you  sweep  from  your  well-tuned  lyre  those  plaintive  pen- 
tameters : 

"  Thus  with  the  year 
Seasons  return ;  but  not  to  me  returns 
Day,  or  the  sweet  approach  of  even  or  mom, 
Or  sight  of  vernal  bloom  or  summer's  rose, 
Or  flocks,  or  herds,  or  human  face  divine ; 
But  cloud  instead  and  ever-during  dark 
Surrounds  me." 

No;  I  pity  you  not,  because  so  much  the  more  didst  thou 
wander  "where  the  Muses  haunt" — so  much  the  more 
did  "celestial  light  shine  inward/'  and  raise  up  things 
invisible  to  mortal  sight. 

The  patience,  study,  and  retirement  requisite  that  we 
may  look  inward  will  be  well  rewarded;  for, 

1.  The  inner  world  is  a  new  one.  The  youth  usually 
knows  as  little  of  it  as  of  foreign  land.  He  has,  it  is 
true,  vague  ideas  of  it,  as  he  has  of  orange  groves  and 
palm-trees  of  which  he  has  read  but  never  seen.  It  were 
glorious  to  discover  even  an  unknown  island.  Columbus, 
as  he  was  approaching  the  New  World,  was  accustomed 
to  close  each  day,  in  the  midst  of  his  assembled  sailors, 
on  deck,  with  a  solemn  meditation  and  a  hymn  of  praise 
to  God.  On  the  evening  before  he  saw  the  land,  and 
while  he  was  gazing  at  the  indications  of  its  near  pres- 
ence, he  sat  musing  at  the  stern,  and  as  he  inquired, 
"What  is  the  world  upon  which  I  am  entering?  who  are 
its  inhabitants  ?  how  will  they  receive  me  ?  and  what  will 
be  the  consequences  of  my  landing  to  myself,  to  Spain, 
to  the  world  ?"  his  feelings  became  overwhelming.  But 
within  your  breast,  immortal  man,  there  is  a  still  moi-e 
glorious  world.  Columbus  could  take  possession  of  Amer- 
ica in  the  name  of  his  sovereign  only;  he  was  to  leave  it 
almost  as  soon  as  he  touched  it;  he  could  not  give  so 
much  as  his  own  name  to  its  shores.  The  undiscovered 
continents  of  thought  that  lie  within  your  breast  you 


V 


142  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

may  name,  and  hold,  and  occupy  at  will  and  forever. 
That  country  which  Columbus  discovered  was  seen  by 
millions  of  eyes  before  he  saw  it,  and  has  been  by  mill- 
ions since;  but  the  world  within  you  is  unlike  all  others, 
and  no  eye  but  yours  can  behold  its  scenes  or  trace  its 
revolutions,  except  the  all-seeing  One. 

2.  This  world  is  one  of  beauty.  Lovely  as  is  the  outer 
world,  it  has  no  beauty  in  comparison  with  the  exceeding 
beauty  of  the  inner.  The  beauty  of  material  things  is 
but  one;  that  of  the  mind  is  threefold — the  beauty  of 
the  present,  of  the  past,  and  of  the  future.  I  know  that 
not  all  within  is  beautiful.  There  are  marks  even  in  the 
soul  of  dislocation  and  disorder;  there  are  chasms,  and 
storms,  and  deserts,  often  more  awful  than  those  of  the 
external  world;  yet  over  the  whole  a  grandeur,  like  to 
that  of  archangel  ruined,  reigns.  The  heavens  and  the 
earth  are  drawn  within  us  in  those  forms  in  which  the 
soul  has  most  delight;  the  past,  too,  is  there,  according 
to  the  affinities  of  our  minds.  It  is  prevailing  disposi- 
tion that  paints  the  panorama  of  remembered  thought, 
and  cherished  joys  that  display  the  figures  of  the  fore- 
ground; and  as  the  canvas  of  memory  stretches,  the 
more  charming  scenes  of  the  foreground  acquire  greater 
relative  prominence,  so  that  remembrance  gives  us,  with 
ever-increasing  vividness,  the  scenes  of  our  earlier  and 
happier  hours,  when  Nature  presented  itself  with  all  the 
freshness,  and  beauty,  and  purity  of  youth  to  our  light 
and  loving  hearts.  The  village  green  of  our  boyish 
gambols,  and  the  oak  which  first  shaded  our  heads,  and 
the  bower  where  we  first  tnid  our  love,  are  the  first  ob- 
jects on  which  the  inner  eye  rests  when  it  turns  to  the 
past.  And  then  the  persons — who  are  they?  Those 
whom  we  first  loved — and  how?  in  their  happiest  moods 
and  their  sweetest  expression.  Do  they  now  slumber  in 
the  narrow  house?     We  see  them  not  writhing  in  the 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  143 

agonies  of  the  death-bed,  or  cold  and  motionless  in  the 
shroud.  Memory  can  say,  "0,  Death,  where  is  thy  sting! 
O,  Grave,  where  is  thy  victory!"  for  she  gives  us  back 
the  dead  even  in  the  loveliest  forms  they  wore.  The 
poor,  bereaved  Irish  emigrant,  when  he  forgets  the  deso- 
lation of  the  present,  and  looks  into  the  past,  sees  not 
the  darkness  of  the  tomb.     Hark ! 

"  I  am  sitting  on  the  stile,  Mary, 
Where  we  sat  side  by  side." 

What  does  he  see?     Hark  I 

"  And  the  springing  com,  and  the  bright  May  mom, 
When  first  you  were  my  bride." 

Even  though  the  specters  of  past  sins  and  the  shadows 
of  departed  sorrows  arise,  they  come  before  us  with  soft- 
ened and  solacing  tints,  and  melt  the  soul  into  a  salutary 
tenderness,  which  is  often  felt  to  be  luxurious.  The 
future,  too,  is  within.  Hope — the  busy  artist  of  the 
mind — runs  forward  and  paints  the  approaching  scenes 
in  light;  and  though  the  picture  perpetually  vanishes  or 
darkens  behind  him,  the  mental  limner  never  tires,  but 
rushes  onward,  ever  busy  and  ever  brightening  the  future. 
The  beauties  of  nature  are  fixed;  not  so  the  beauties  of 
the  mind — they  are  changeable  at  will.  As  the  genius 
pores  over  his  mental  treasures, 

"  Anon  tea  thousand  shapes, 
Like  specters  trooping  to  the  wizard's  call, 
Flit  swift  before  him.     From  the  womb  of  earth, 
From  ocean's  bed  they  come ;  the  eternal  heavens 
Disclose  their  splendors,  and  the  dark  abyss 
Pours  out  her  births  unknown.    With  fixed  gaze 
He  marks  the  rising  phantoms :  now  compares 
Their  different  forms,  now  blends  them,  now  divides. 
Enlarges,  and  extenuates  by  turns. 
Opposes,  ranges  in  fantastic  bands, 
And  infinitely  varies." 

The  beauties  of  nature  are  attended  with  deformities. 
The  mind  can  present  us  with  thornless  roses  and  aa- 


144  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

mingled  fragrance.     Milton's  Eden  blooms  with  beauties 
that  can  be  combined  only  in  the  soul. 

The  beauty  of  the  inner  world  is  an  independent  one. 
It  is  only  poetically  that  matter  can  be  said  to  have 
beauty  at  all;  philosophically,  beauty,  like  color  an^  fra- 
grance, belongs  exclusively  to  spirit — 

"Mind  alone.    Bear  witness  eartb  and  heaven, 
The  living  fountain  in  itself  contains 
Of  beauteous  and  sublime !    Here,  hand  in  hand, 
Sit  paramount  the  graces.     Here  enthroned 
Celestial  Venus,  with  divinest  airs, 
Invites  the  soul  to  never-fading  joys." 

The  outward  world,  I  know,  wakes  up  the  beauty  slum- 
bering within;  but,  in  return  for  the  favor,  the  soul 
throws  its  own  charms  over  its  senseless  forms.  He  who 
V  would  see  a  paradise  without  must  first  make  a  paradise 
within;  then  as  his  soul  passes  out  through  the  senses, 
she  will  make  ever  new  discoveries  of  beauty  from  the 
reflected  hues  of  her  own  fancy,  and  will  give  every  hill 
and  promontory  a  new  name,  and  derive  from  it  a  new 
joy,  from  its  resemblance  to  some  picture  which  the  inner 
eye  alone  has  seen.  Hyperides  once  pleaded  for  a  guilty 
woman;  but  finding  that  his  eloquence  was  vain,  he  drew 
the  vail  from  the  beautiful  bosom  of  his  client,  and  won 
his  cause.  0  could  I  biit  expose  the  beauties  of  your 
own  breasts,  I  need  not  add, 

3.  That  the  inner  world  is  a  sublime  one.  Great  extent 
is  sublime.  Hence,  in  part,  the  sublimity  of  the  sky, 
the  expanded  seas.  He  who  is  confined  within  the 
boundaries  of  sense  dwells  in  a  narrow  house;  he  who 
abides  within  occupies  a  large  space.  Deprived  of  all 
his  senses,  he  may  walk  abroad,  and,  even  on  his  couch 
of  straw,  enjoy  a  liberty  that  tyrants  might  envy,  and  a 
range  that  sensualists  can  never  know.  Is  depth  sub- 
lime? Who  has  stood  upon  the  verge  of  the  precipice, 
and  looked  from  cliff  to  cliff?  did  not  his  eyes  grow  dim 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  145 

and  his  brain  reel?  God  has  said,  "The  heart  is  deep." 
Plummet  line  may  fathom  ocean;  but  who  hath  sounded  i/ 
the  depths  of  human  passion,  or  human  reason,  or  human 
will  ?  In  thy  breast  is  the  whole  history  of  man,  past 
and  to  come,  in  epitome;  for  in  it  are  the  fountains 
whence  all  human  actions  flow.  Look  into  the  deep  well 
of  thy  heart,  and  thou  shalt  see  down  into  the  heart  of 
Adam.  From  the  depths  of  thy  reason  thou  canst  draw 
up  the  ladder  that  raised  Newton  to  the  skies.  Untu- 
tored slave  though  you  may  be,  within  thee  are  all  the 
elementary  principles  of  that  philosopher's  immortal  dem- 
onstrations. Although  thou  canst  not  take  the  dimen- 
sions of  the  rice-field  that  limits  thy  labors,  thou  hast 
within  thy  mind  the  mathematics  that  can  measure  and 
weigh  the  most  distant  planet  in  space.  Is  swiftness 
sublime?  Ask  the  lightning.  But  thought  mocks  its 
lazy  foot.  It  touches  all  things  with  a  celerity  that  is 
nearly  equivalent  to  ubiquity;  for  it  oversteps  a  space 
that,  for  its  distance,  can  scarce  be  measured,  in  a  time 
that,  for  its  shortness,  can  scarce  be  noted.  Is  mystery 
sublime  ?  How  mysterious  are  the  faculties  of  the  mind ! 
Imagination  is  the  image  of  omnipresence.  It  soars 
backward,  or  upward,  or  downward,  as  on  wings  of  light; 
or  rushing  onward,  with  the  mien  and  the  majesty  of  an 
angel,  it  may  cross  the  boundaries  of  creation,  and  hav- 
ing perched  on  the  limits  of  possibility,  may  spread  its  tri- 
umphant wing,  and  proudly  perform  its  gyrations  on  the 
clouds  beyond.  Memory  is  the  image  of  omniscience. 
It  unrolls  a  canvas  on  which  earth  and  skies  are  out- 
spread; so  that  though  the  eye  may  be  closed,  the  soul, 
within  its  little  tenement,  can  examine  all  the  hues  and 
forms  of  sensible  things  in  its  impressions  of  the  past. 
It  sends  its  telegraphic  wires  back  to  the  green  of  our 
earliest  gambols,  and,  pushing  its  magnetic  lines  through 
the  tomb,  it  brings  us  messages  from  eternity — the  thou- 

13 


146  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

sand  joys,  and  kindnesses,  and  loves  of  the  lost  and 
redeemed  ones.  Reason  is  the  image  of  divine  wisdom. 
It  gives  us  a  knowledge  of  relations — in  proportion  to 
which  our  views  expand.  With  nothing  but  perception, 
conception,  and  consciousness,  we  are  fettered  in  mind 
as  one  bound  to  a  stake  would  be  in  body.  By  tracing 
relations,  we  break  our  chains,  and  extend  our  walks 
farther  and  farther  through  the  universe.  Reason  often, 
like  the  architect,  looks  along  the  chain  of  causes  and 
effects,  and  sees  results  of  which  the  agents  that  are  to 
produce  them  have  no  conception.  How  little  progress 
would  men  make  without  its  speculations !  Say  that 
speculation  is  a  shadow ;  yet  by  a  shadow  Thales  learned 
to  measure  a  pyramid.  Say,  with  Aristophanes,  that  phi- 
losophy is  in  the  clouds;  if  some  one  had  not  been  there, 
who  would  have  calculated  eclipses?  Say,  if  you  will, 
that  the  lines  of  scientific  light  are  intangible  and  im- 
jy  aginary;  so  are  the  solstices  and  ecliptic;  but  the  sun 
observes  them,  and  the  heavens  are  taught  by  them,  and 
the  year  is  divided  by  them,  and  commerce,  and  history, 
and  law,  and  love  fall  into  order  by  their  guidance.  Say, 
if  you  will,  that  the  speculative  reason  wheels  in  air; 
and  what  shall  we  say  of  the  earth  which  spins  on  noth- 
ing, yet  bears  you  safely?  You  rejoice  in  maps,  and  dial- 
plates,  and  steam-engines,  and  railways,  and  telegraphs; 
but  all,  all,  were  first  drafted  in  the  reasoning  soul,  as 
the  universe  was  drafted  in  the  mind  of  God  before  it 
uprose  from  chaos.  Even  when  the  labors  of  enlightened 
reason  do  not  result  in  any  material  benefit,  still  they  are 
always  improving,  always  desirable,  always  grand.  How 
superhuman  appears  Pythagoras  pointing  out  that  system 
of  the  universe  which  it  required  twenty  centuries  of 
subsequent  observation  and  study  to  demonstrate !  How 
grand  Seneca,  when  in  remote  antiquity  he  predicts  the 
discovery  of  a  new  world  upon  our  planet !     How  angelic 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  147 

Roger  Bacon,  projecting  liis  mind  so  far  forward  of  his 
age  that  his  cotemporaries  deemed  him  an  infernal  being, 
and  subsequent  times,  whose  discoveries  he  had  anticipa- 
ted, looked  back  upon  him  as  a  supernal  one ! 

How  grand  a  movement  of  mind  is  generalization ! 
What  a  wonderful  pregnancy  does  it  give  to  words! 
Each  general  term  is  a  swarming  city  of  thoughts — a 
word  may  describe  a  weight  which  the  planet  Jupiter 
could  not  carry  on  his  bosom,  and  a  few  figures,  that  we 
play  with  as  a  child  with  its  toys,  may  be  made  to  lift  the 
screen  from  the  immensities  of  Jehovah's  works. 

And  what  shall  we  say  of  the  will?  which  says  to  the 
wilderness,  bloom,  and  it  is  as  the  garden  of  Edenj 
which  says  to  the  mountain,  be  open,  and  the  bowels  of 
the  rock  are  blasted  out;  which  makes  a  path  through 
the  sea,  and  a  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire,  on  an  iron  path- 
way, through  the  desert;  which  tameth  the  tiger,  and 
maketh  a  plaything  of  the  lion;  which  grasps  the  im- 
pending thunderbolt,  and  hides  its  powerless  flash  in  the 
bosom  of  the  earth  ?  And  0  what  awful  power  does  the 
will  sometimes  exert  within  the  dominions  of  the  soul !  ly^ 
See  that  martyr  laid  upon  the  rack!  Every  limb  is 
stretched,  and  every  nerve  thrills  with  agony.  A  single  (^ 
word,  and  the  prisoner  will  be  relieved  and  restored  to 
his  friends.  How  shall  he  avoid  uttering  it?  Will  not 
his  intellect  rebel?  Will  not  his  heart  cry  out?  Will 
not  his  tongue,  for  an  instant,  break  loose?  Wait  and  see. 
Hark!  the  heavy  instrument  falls,  and  a  bone  is  broken, 
and  the  sharp  fragments  pierce  through  the  quivering 
flesh.  An  inten'al  follows — a  dreadful  interval — and,  in 
the  midst  of  the  agony,  the  executioner  demands  the 
word  of  recantation;  but  that  tongue,  which  utters  forth 
groans  that  make  a  city  shudder,  lisps  not  a  syllable. 
Slowly  the  instrument  descends  again,  and  another  bone 
is  broken,  and  another,  till  every  limb  is  in  fragments, 


148  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

and  the  whole  body  lies  lacerated  and  bleeding;  and  now 
the  executioner  approaches,  and  the  dews  of  death  are 
upon  the  martyr's  brow,  and  though  the  tongue  speaks 
sweetly  and  freely  of  Jesus,  and  of  the  land  where  the 
weary  rest,  it  is  mute  as  the  grave  as  to  recantation. 
Zeno,  on  the  rack,  lest  his  tongue  should  betray  him,  bit 
it  off,  and  spit  it  out  in  the  face  of  his  judge.  The 
human  will  is,  perhaps,  the  most  sublime  of  all  things. 
That  Power  which  wields  the  lightning  and  moves  the 
storm,  which  scatters«Jvorlds  through  space  as  the  hus- 
bandman casts  seed  into  the  furrow,  which  by  a  look 
of  terror  could  blast  the  universe,  suffers  the  will  of  man 
to  rise  up  against  itself.  How  terrible  looks  the  fabled 
Atreus,  glutted  with  his  banquet  of  revenge,  when  the 
justice  of  the  gods  comes  down  upon  the  feast!  Bolt 
after  bolt  falls  on  every  side,  yet  the  untamed  will  of  the 
rebel,  as  if  in  triumph,  looks  up  from  the  sea  of  fire,  and 
cries,  "Thunder,  ye  powerless  gods;  I  am  avenged." 
And  such  a  scene — ^yea,  and  more  dreadful — do  we  see 
every  day  enacted  in  the  sinner's  breast,  where  the  will 
sits,  amid  the  ruins  of  the  soul,  an  outcast  from  God, 
and,  though  on  earth,  like  Satan  in  the  pit,  saying,  in  its 
desolation,  as  it  approaches  the  tomb, 

"  Hail,  horrors  I  hail, 
Infernal- world !  and  thon,  profoondest  hell, 
£eceive  thy  new  possessor." 

There  is  a  power  behind  the  will  as  awful  as  the  will 
itself — the  heart.  This  is  the  image  of  creative  energy. 
To  a  great  extent  it  shapes  the  character,  molds  the 
words,  and  directs  the  actions  of  men.  Give  me  a  per- 
fect knowledge  of  a  man's  heart,  and  I  can  give  you  his 
character  and  course  in  general  results.  The  judgment, 
I  know,  is  the  informer  of  the  heart,  and  the  memory, 
and  the  fancy,  and  the  will,  and  the  conscience,  and  the 
providence  of  God,  are  its  checks  and  modifiers;    but 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  149 

upon  all  of  these,  except  the  last,  it  has  a  reflex  and  most 
potent  influence:  sometimes  blinding  the  judgment,  giv- 
ing tone  to  the  fancy,  forcing  the  jvill,  and  perverting 
the  conscience.  Hence,  it  is  that  part  of  our  nature 
upon  which  chiefly  the  fires  of  depravity  burn,  and  upon 
which,  too,  the  dews  of  grace  distill. 

We  are  accustomed  to  give  too  much  credit  to  intellect 
in  the  works  of  creative  genius.  Poetry,  eloquence,  etc., 
are  the  spontaneous  results  of  influences  little  heeded 
and  little  understood.  Genius,  in'  its  happiest  moods, 
when  throwing  the  hues  of  sensible  things  over  the 
regions  of  the  spirit,  or  the  coloring  of  the  soul  over  the 
scenery  of  the  earth,  is  but  sweetly  yielding  to  the  laws 
that  shape  the  thoughts  of  the  infant  on  his  hobby. 
While  the  poet  may  think  that  he  is  steering  his  heart, - 
his  heart  may  be  directing  him,  telling  him  where  to  stop 
in  his  spiritual  journey,  compelling  hina  to  survey  the 
scenery  around  him,  and  even  pointing  him  to  the  very 
colors  in  which  he  should  dip  his  brush.  The  philoso- 
pher who  is  indignant  at  the  prejudices  of  others  may 
have  his  own  intellect  tinged  with  unperceived  preju- 
dices, expressed  in  the  very  words  in  which  he  declaims 
against  the  errors  that  he  exposes.  The  revolt  of  the 
common  mind  at  what  seems  artificial,  and  the  great  law 
of  criticism  which  condemns  every  thing  that  does  not 
seem  natural,  shows  how  little  of  the  achievements  of  a 
genius  are  due  to  his  volition.  To  give  the  mind  such  a 
tone  that  its  spontaneous  suggestions  shall  be  worthy  to 
be  uttered — this  is  the  labor  of  the  heart. 

The  heart  is  the  index  to  the  faculty  of  association. 
Every  hill,  and  river,  and  blossom  which  presents  itself 
to  us  opens  a  department  of  thought,  and  lets  loose  a 
crowd  of  images,  grand  or  mean,  useful  or  pernicious, 
according  to  our  previous  trains  of  thought;  and  these 
trains  of  thought  depend  chiefly  upon  the  heart.     To 


150  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  holy,  for  example,  every  scene  brings  the  animating 
revelations  of  Scripture,  and  awakens  the  transporting 
hopes  and  exalting  .charities  of  the  child  of  God;  his 
mind  always  moves  on  consecrated  ground,  and  his  march 
is  in  a  triumphal  procession  of  sanctified  saints  to  glory 
and  to  God;  he  communes  with  the  white-robed  and 
1/  pure,  and  lives  rather  in  the  tranquil  past  or  the  jubilant 
future  than  in  the  dull  and  sinful  present.  For  him 
roses  are  roses  of  Sharon,  and  lilies  are  fragrant  with 
incense.  For  him  Christ  stands  and  teaches  amid  his 
apostolic  band,  or  even  in  the  desert;  and  angels  leave 
their  heavenly  bowers  to  gather  round  his  new-born  soul 
in  the  hour  of  sorrow  and  of  trial. 

And  who  does  not  know  the  influence  of  the  heart  on 
the  judgment?  Why  do  poets  sing  better  and  oftener 
of  a  lost  than  a  recovered  Paradise?  Why  is  it  that 
genius  planted  in  the  soil  of  righteousness  and  the  air 
of  worship  produces  only  a  few  fading  leaves,  while  in 
the  ashes  of  sin  and  the  atmosphere  of  moral  death  it 
breaks  out  into  gorgeous  luxuriance?  Why  is  it  that  the 
Hebrew  melodies  are  sought  after  by  the  few,  while  the 
Don  Juan  is  craved  by  millions?  Why  is  it  that  the 
works  of  wickedness  are  often  as  imj^essive  as  the  tem- 
pest, while  the  melting  beams  of  holiness  are  unheeded 
as  the  sun  ?  It  is  becau.se  of  the  power  of  the  heart  to 
warp  the  judgment. 

The  heart  is  the  source  of  inventive  genius.  Will  can 
not  bring  up  a  single  thought;  the  heart  is  the  wizard 
that  evokes,  shapes,  and  directs  them  all.  I  know  it 
does  not  make  thought  any  more  than  the  mountains 
make  the  springs  that  gush  from  their  grassy  sides;  but, 
like  the  volcano,  it  heaves  up  mountains  within  the  mind, 
and  makes  a  channel  which  gathers  up  and  whirls  the 
spiritual  waters  as  they  fall,  and  rolls  them  in  deeper  and 
deeper  currents  to  the  sea.     It  does  more:  it  disturbs 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  151 

the  electricity  of  the  mental  clouds,  and  opens  the  sluices 
of  the  inner  skies.  Let  the  heart  be  excited,  and  the 
mind  needs  no  schoolmaster  in  order  to  express  itself.  ^ 
What  one  man  feels  he  can  make  another  feel.  I  would 
not  despise  criticism  or  rhetoric,  but  we  had  Homer  and 
Pericles  before  either.  Love  can  pour  music  from  its 
throat  without  a  gamut;  can  ascend  the  sky,  like  the 
prophet,  in  its  own  chariot  of  fire;  can  thunder  and 
lighten  like  unto  him  that  walketh  upon  the  wings  of 
the  wind.  Don't  undertake  to  instruct  it.  The  eagle  in 
his  eyrie  needs  no  anatomy  in  order  to  fold  his  wings 
around  his  triumphant  heart,  no  physiology  to  direct  his 
course  to  the  morning  sun.  The  excited  soul  thinks  of 
no  rules,  and  requires  none;  it  seizes  its  figures  and 
arguments  without  a  consciousness  of  its  movements,  and 
hurls  them  with  an  energy  that  is  like  to  supernatural. 
Sometimes  it  seizes  and  drops,  builds  up  and  destroys, 
engages  and  terrifies,  with  a  confusion  that  abides  no 
criticism,  and  heeds  none;  for  it  is  the  confusion  of  in- 
spiration— an  inspiration  to  which,  however  wild,  com- 
mon sense  and  philosophy  alike  respond  in  the  hour  of 
its  triumphant  action.  Would  you  see  one  of  the  grand- 
est images  of  God?  See  the  heart  of  Milton  brooding 
over  the  chaos  of  his  mind,  and  shaping  and  animating  a 
universe  beneath  its  wings,  and  filling  the  hights,  the 
depths,  the  paradise,  with  upper,  nether,  or  surrounding 
fires.  Would  you  bring  out  fully  the  power  of  the  mind, 
you  must  light  up  a  consuming  fire  in  the  breast. 

Now,  in  order  that  I  be  not  thought  transcendental, 
consider  that  although  thought  flows  on  according  to  the 
general  laws  of  association — contrast,  resemblance,  conti- 
guity, and  cause  and  effect — these  are  modified  by  coex- 
istent emotion,  frequency  of  renewal,  peculiarities  of 
mental  constitution,  etc.,  and  that  these  chiefly  depend 
upon   the  heart;  finally,  that  the  stimulus  imparted  to 


152  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  mind  by  intense  emotion  both  determines  its  affini- 
ties and  gives  the  tendency  to  suggestion  by  analogy,  in 
which  principally  consists  the  charm  of  genius. 

4.  The  inner  world  is  sublime,  because  of  its  influ- 
ences. These  extend  indefinitely,  but  immensely,  both 
through  space  and  time :  each  moral  world  is  related  with 
many  others.  You  see  that  star  high  up  in  the  skies; 
should  it  leave  its  orbit,  this  earth  would  be  shaken — all 
worlds  would  feel  its  erratic  movements.  Look  at  your 
soul.  Its  movements  may  be  felt  in  hell,  in  heaven, 
raising  a  new  wail  in  one  or  a  new  song  in  the  other. 
The  wandering  of  a  planet  affects  only  matter;  the  wan- 
dering of  a  soul  affects  rational  and  immortal  mind.  So 
in  time  the  soul  is  felt  afar  off;  it  may  pass  from  earth, 
yet  still  live  beneath  the  sun  :  the  oak  dies,  but  the  acorn 
lives._  Truth  springs  from  truth  as  seed  from  seed; 
though  with  this  difference,  that  the  crop,  while  of  the 
same  nature  as  the  seed,  and  much  more  abundant,  is  not 
always  its  exact  copy.  The  acorn  will  produce  an  oak  to 
the  end  of  time;  but  the  lUiad  may  produce  an  ^neid 
in  this  age  and  a  Paradise  Lost  in  that;  while  it  is  bring- 
ing forth  an  epic  in  one  mind,  it  may  be  producing  an 
ode  in  another,  a  tragedy  in  a  third,  and  a  philosophical 
oration  in  a  fourth.  The  history  of  Thucydides  pro- 
duced the  orations  of  Demosthenes,  and  the  novels  of 
Sir  "Walter  Scott  the  historical  works  of  Guizot  and 
Theirs. 

Action  is  no  less  prolific  than  words.  He  who  has  no 
children  may,  nevertheless,  have  a  numerous  and  illustri- 
ous progeny.  His  character,  like  Newton's,  or  Wesley's, 
or  Washington's,  may  be  a  fruitful  parent.  Marathon 
was  the  mother  of  Thermopylae,  Thermopylae  of  Salamis, 
Salamis  of  Plat«a;  the  battle-fields  of  Greece  begat 
those  of  Rome,  as  Cannae  and  Philippi  did  those  of  Gaul 
and  Britain;  Bunker  Hill  and  Yorktown  have  descended 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  153 

lineally  from  the  first  mountains  and  fields  of  martial 
glory.  The  tomb  of  Leonidas,  as  long  as  an  oration  was 
annually  delivered  from  its  side,  produced  a  yearly  crop 
of  heroes.  The  dead  body  of  Lucretia,  planted  by  the 
hand  of  Brutus,  brought  forth  the  living  liberators  of 
Rome;  and  the  wounds  of  Caesar's  corpse,  touching  Ple- 
beian sympathy,  as  Anthony  lifted  up  his  shroud,  were 
the  seeds  whence  sprung  the  tyrants  of  ten  centuries. 
The  blood  of  the  martyrs  was  the  seed  of  the  Church. 
Hail,  Archimedes !  though  the  sphere  and  the  cylinder 
have  moldered  long  since  from  thy  tomb,  I  see  thee  to- 
day. Hail,  Demosthenes !  though  thy  voice  has  long 
since  died  away  over  thy  native  shores,  it  heaves  many  a 
living  breast  about  me.  Hail  from  thy  grave!  Hail, 
Paul !  though  Nero  long  ago  claimed  thy  head,  thy  heart 
beats  sacred  music  in  a  thousand  pulpits  to-day. 

5.  The  inner  world  is  eternal.  Those  seas  must  dry 
up  and  these  mountains  dissolve,  the  sun  itself  shall 
burn  out,  and  the  lamps  of  this  temple  of  night  may 
drop  from  their  sockets,  like  autumn's  withered  leaves, 
but  the  soul  of  that  good  man  shall  never  die.  It  is  the 
holy  of  holies  which  God's  chosen  ministers  watch  over, 
and  which  mortal  eye  may  not  see;  and  it  shall  be  re- 
moved with  reverential  care,  when  the  clothes  of  this 
tabernacle  of  the  body  are  folded  up,  and  its  boards  are 
taken  down  in  the  grave.  The  faculties  of  his  soul  are 
holy  things,  which  go  not  into  darkness,  but  shall  have 
an  entrance  ministered  to  them  by  angels  of  light  into 
the  temple  not  made  with  hands,  where  they  may  abide 
with  God  forever. 

Such  a  world,  young  man,  is  thy  soul;  and  wilt  thou 
be  dependent  on  external  things  for  thy  happiness,  so 
that  thou  art  sad  or  cheerful  according  as  the  wind  blows 
hither  or  thither  ?  Rather  be  like  him  whose  soul  is  his 
country — his  own  dear  native  land — and  to  whom  neither 


154  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

cloudless  skies,  nor  perennial  spring,  nor  double  harvests 
can  jneld  so  much  delight. 

When  we  drink  the  bitter  waters  of  life,  or  loathe  the 
^  surfeit  and  the  pestilence  of  its  pleasures,  or  burn  with 
the  sting  of  its  fiery  serpents,  let  us  go  home.  0  glori- 
ous truth  !  that  the  mind,  shut  out  from  this  scene  of 
sensible  things,  can  retire  into  its  own  infinite  domain, 
and,  as  it  moves  along,  arrange  all  things  into  order  and 
symmetry  by  an  untaught  yet  unerring  astronomy! 
Thrice  happy  he  who  finds  that  spiritual  immensity  a 
sanctuary,  sprinkled  with  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  lighted 
up  with  the  lamps  of  angels,  radiant  with  the  presence 
of  God,  and  perfumed  with  his  perpetual  blessing.  To 
such  a  one  even  the  dungeon  is  the  vestibule  of  heaven, 
and  the  scafi"old  a  step  in  the  ascent  to  glory.  He  can 
say, 

"  Should  fate  commaud  me  to  the  farthest  verge 
Of  the  green  earth,  to  distant  barbarous  climes, 
Rivers  unknown  to  song,  where  first  the  sun 
Gilds  Indian  mountains,  or  his  setting  beams 
Flame  o'er  Atlantic  isles,  'tis  naught  to  me, 
Since  God  is  ever  present,  ever  felt, 
In  the  void  waste  or  in  the  city  full." 

How  grand  a  sight  is  the  launch  of  a  ship !  As  she 
moves  from  the  stocks  slowly  down  the  inclined  plane, 
with  a  few  shouting  sailors  upon  her  deck — as  she  booms 
for  the  first  time  into  the  bosom  of  the  waters,  and  rises 
and  proudly  rights  herself  upon  the  waves,  you  think  of 
the  fate  that  awaits  her,  the  rich  cargoes  she  is  to  bear, 
the  multitudes  of  living  men  that  she  is  to  hold  up  on 
her  planks  from  the  deep,  billowy  grave;  of  the  com- 
munion she  is  to  establish  between  distant  continents; 
of  the  messages  of  love  and  the  lessons  of  light  that  she 
is  to  bear  to  the  nations;  of  the  storms  she  may  encoun- 
ter, and  the  lightning  that  may  smite  her  masts  and  wrap 
her  sides  in  flame,  lighting  up  the  sea  as  if  in  mockery 


THE    INNER    WORLD.  155 

cf  the  night;  of  the  many  that  may  plunge  down  from 
her  burning  bowels  to  rise  no  more,  and  the  few  that  may 
float  over  the  spray  upon  some  half-burnt  plank,  and  you 
feel  a  swelling  at  the  heart.  But  what  were  this  scene 
compared  with  one  such  as  God  might  show  you,  if  ho 
were  to  convey  you  beyond  the^milky  way,  and  point  you 
to  a  new  world  which,  perhaps,  he  is  at  this  moment 
lanching  into  space !  Could  you  see  the  wide  landscape 
of  mountain  and  lake,  and  light  breaking  forth,  and  cre- 
ation becoming  warm  and  living;  fields  turning  into  flow- 
ers, waters  floating  with  birds,  lands  bringing  forth  cattle, 
the  very  dust,  on  some  fragrant  eminence,  turning  into 
two  human  but  not  immortal  beings — their  nostrils  dila- 
ting and  their  bosoms  swelling  with  the  breath  of  God — 
the  surrounding  stars  crowded  with  excited  angels,  and 
the  new  seas  and  skies  becoming  vocal  with  the  song  of 
the  sons  of  the  morning — how  would  you  feel?  Suppose 
you  were  informed  that  the  conduct  of  that  new-made 
pair  was  to  determine  the  future  character  of  that  globe; 
whether,  as  its  valleys  fill  up  with  population,  it  shall 
roll  onward  in  deeper  and  deeper  darkness  or  into  higher 
and  higher  light;  whether  it  shall  float  in  cursing  and 
groans,  or  in  thanksgiving  and  the  voice  of  melody — 
how  would  you  watch  and  pray  over  them,  as  if  the  blood 
would  rush  from  your  eyes  and  the  soul  sob  out  of  your 
body!  But  the  lanch  of  a  single  immortal  soul  into  life 
is  a  grander  and  more  awful  sight  than  the  lanch  of  such 
a  world.  The  happiness  of  those  millions  of  successive 
generations  would  cease  in  the  grave;  their  misery,  how- 
ever intense,  would  terminate  in  death.  Take  the  most 
joyous  conceivable  life  of  one  of  its  inhabitants,  or  the 
most  intense  agony  of  another,  and  multiply  it  by  mill- 
ions of  millions,  and  you  have  still  but  a  limited  joy  or 
sorrow ;  but  that  immortal  soul  carries  wrapt  up  in  itself 
a  happiness  or  woe  that  shall  know  no  limit.     As  it  sails 


156  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

out  in  life,  it  is  to  determine  whether  it  shall  float  in  tho 
blackness  of  darkness  forever,  or  circle  in  eternal  light 
around  the  throne  of  God. 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  157 


THE  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  originated  in  the  liber- 
ality and  public  spirit  of  Delaware,  a  village  which, 
by  the  centrality  and  accessibility  of  its  position,  the 
beauty  of  its  rural  prospects,  and  the  intelligence,  moral- 
ity, and  catholic  feeling  of  its  inhabitants,  is  admirably 
suited  to  such  an  institution.  We  wonder  not  that  the 
thought  of  establishing  it  should  occur  to  them ;  for  who 
of  classic  associations  can  cross  that  brook,  fringed  with 
willows,  or  ascend  yon  gravel  walk,  shaded  with  majestic 
locusts,  without  thinking  of  the  groves  of  sacred  Ac- 
ademua ;  or  who  survey,  from  the  margin  of  that  stream, 
or  the  summits  of  those  flowering  hills,  the  edifice  that 
rises  so  impressively  upon  his  view,  without  fancying  he 
beholds  the  temple  of  science ! 

It  was  easy  to  perceive  that  a  college  to  be  permanent 
must  be  endowed,  and  to  be  useful  must  be  patronized; 
and  that  to  secure  both  endowment  and  patronage,  it 
must  be  placed  under  the  fostering  care  of  some  religious 
denomination.  Now,  to  which  of  the  sects  in  Ohio  were 
the  people  of  Delaware  to  look  for  the  aid  indispensable 
to  the  establishment  of  their  literary  institution  ?  The 
lordly  halls  of  Kenyon  filled  the  eyes  of  Episcopalians, 
the  neat  edifices  of  Grranville  attracted  the  undivided  at- 
tention of  Baptists,  while  a  score  of  classic  piles  were 
distracting  the  views  and  dividing  the  afi'ections  of  Pres- 


°  Delivered  August  5, 1846. 


7 


158  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

J)yterians ;  but  lo !  the  Methodists,  with  a  membership 
of  150,000,  had  no  literary  institution  of  a  higher  grade 
than  the  academy.  To  them,  therefore,  it  was  natural 
that  our  citizens  should  turn.  Accordingly,  they  sent  a 
committee  to  the  North  Ohio  conference,  at  its  session  in 
the  fall  of  1841,  bearing  a  proposal  to  donate  to  it  ten  acres 
of  ground,  embracing  the  sulphur  spring,  and  the  pres- 
ent college  edifice,  on  condition  that  it  should,  within  a 
reasonable  time,  establish  thereon  a  collegiate  institu- 
tion. While  the  conference  unanimously  gave  due  con- 
sideration to  this  proposition,  many  of  its  members 
thought  it  should  be  promptly,  but  respectfully  declined : 
not  that  they  were  insensible  to  the  liberality  of  our  cit- 
izens, the  eligibility  of  this  location,  or  the  duty  of  their 
own  body  in  relation  to  collegiate  education ;  but  as  the 
conference  already  had  under  their  patronage  a  seminary 
of  elevated  grade,  laboring  under  heavy  embarrassments, 
they  feared  that  if  conference  should  accept  the  proposi- 
tion  from  Delaware,  it  would  be  unable  to  fulfill  its  obli- 
gations to  Norwalk,  and,  perhaps,  might  be  false  to  both. 
This  opposition  prevented  the  immediate  acceptance  of 
the  offer.  A  resolution  was,  however,  adopted,  virtually 
referring  it  to  the  Ohio  conference,  which,  after  a 
brief  discussion,  passed  resolutions  appointing  commis- 
sioners to  accept  the  premises  on  the  terms  proposed, 
and  purchase  additional  grounds.  Opposition  to  the 
measure  ceased  from  that  moment. 

Within  a  short  time  after  the  premises  were  accepted, 
a  liberal  charter  was  obtained,  an  efficient  board  of  trus- 
tees organized,  and  a  preparatory  school  opened,  which 
has  been  continued  without  interruption  ever  since ;  and 
although  we  were  under  no  obligations  to  organize  a  fac- 
ulty till  five  years  after  accepting  the  property,  we  have 
closed  our  second  collegiate  year. 

Notwithstanding  the  many  obstacles  we  have  encoun- 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  159 

tered,  we  have  made  some  progress  in  endowing  the  in- 
stitution.    Our  property  is  now  as  follows  : 

Ten  acres  of  land,  embracing  the  college  edifice,  donated  by  the  citizens. $10,000 

Fire  acres,  which  is  adjacent 5,000 

The  AlIen>Qirm,  near  Marion,  0 10,000 

Scholarship  notes  supposed  unquestionable 46,000 

Land  and  subscriptions  known  to  be  safe 2,000 

$72,000 
Our  liabilities , 3,500 

Our  annual  expenses  are  as  follows  : 

Professors'  salaries $3,350 

To  meet  which,  we  may  calculate  with  tolerable  cer- 
tainty upon  the  following  annual  resources  : 

Tuition  bUls $1,000 

Interest  on  scholarships 2,600 

Rent  of  farm,  near  Marion,  0 300 

$3,800 

Our  immediate  wants  are,  however,  about  four  thou- 
sand dollars. 

If  we  compare  our  condition  with  the  resources  of  our 
Church,  or  the  magnitude  of  our  enterprise,  we  shall 
have  reason  for  discouragement.  If  we  contrast  our 
premises  with  those  of  Yale  or  Harvard,  or  survey  them 
in  view  of  those  immense  quadrangles,  and  superb  chap- 
els, and  lofty  towers,  that  rise  upon  the  astonished  vision 
in  the  literary  Babylons  of  the  old  world,  we  sink  into 
appalling  insignificance.  But  let  us  not  despise  the  day 
of  small  things.  Yale  College  commenced  with  thirty 
pounds,  and  accompanied  the  earth  twenty  times  in  her 
journey  around  the  sun,  before  it  had  an  edifice  or  en- 
dowment equal  to  our  own.  The  transatlantic  univerities 
were  once  as  low  as  we,  and  in  their  progress  to  their  present 
glory,  they  have  seen  nations  rise  and  fall,  and  long  lines 
of  royal  patrons  gathered  to  their  fathers.  We  are  in  the 
wilderness,  our  footsteps  are  over  the  fresh  graves  of 
barbarians,  and  the  echoes  of  the  warwhoop  have  scarce 
died  away  upon  our  hills.     Though  the  things  of  the  day 


160  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

be  small,  not  so  its  expectations.  We  may  be  quieted 
with  indispensables,  but  not  contented.  We  shall  go  on, 
as  our  means  increase,  to  erect  a  neat  and  commodious 
chapel — to  obtain  an  opulent  library,  containing  the 
treasures  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  both  of  the 
ancients  and  moderns — to  erect  a  laboratory,  and  fill  its 
apartments  with  apparatus  and  cabinet,  perfect  and  un- 
surpassed— to  erect  and  furnish  rows  of  neat  cottages, 
each  embosomed  in  a  lovely  garden,  where  the  poor,  but 
virtuous  and  diligent  pupil  can  retire  for  study  under  his 
own  vine  and  arbor,  and  take  honey  from  his  own  bee- 
hive— to  complete  our  endowment,  and  establish  popular 
lectureships,  by  which  the  community  may  be  instructed 
in  important  branches  of  science  without  entering  col- 
lege classes.  President  and  professors  will  go  down  to 
the  narrow  house,  but  the  University,  we  hope,  will  go 
up  to  realize  these  broad  and  lofty  expectations.  To  jus- 
tify this  hope,  let  us  glance  at  owx  prospects. 

1.  These  are  founded  upon  the  interests  of  the  citizens 
of  Delaware.  The  institution  originated  with  them,  and 
their  personal  pride  is  involved  in  its  success.  They 
feel  grateful  to  the  denomination  which  came  so  gen- 
erously and  promptly  to  their  aid,  and  will  express  that 
gratitude  in  a  suitable  mode.  Tell  me  not  of  bigotry 
and  sectarian  jealousy.  Conscious  of  our  integrity  and 
liberality,  we  fear  no  righteous  opposition ;  and  trusting 
in  God  and  our  own  right  arms,  we  dread  no  unrighteous 
one.  Misunderstanding  may  occur,  but  it  can  not  last; 
and  the  opposition  founded  upon  it  must  vanish  with 
itself.  It  is  a  matter  of  joy  to  me  that  the  University  is 
located  in  a  community  divided  in  political  and  religious 
opinions :  the  friction  of  a  mixed  society  prevents  dog- 
matism and  develops  energy. 

The  University  promotes  the  wealth  of  the  town. 
The  blindness  which  can  not  see  this,  must  be  as  un- 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  101 

natural  as  the  indifference  which  can  not  feel  it.  It 
may  not  be  amiss,  however,  to  exhibit  a  few  figures  on 
this  point  : 

The  institution  has  brought  hither  Atb  professors'  families,  whose  ex- 
penses will  average  $450  per  annum $2,350 

One  unmarried  professor 250 

It  has  already  induced,  at  least,  seren  other  families  to  take  up  their 

abode  here,  whose  expenses  perhaps  may  average  $450 3,150 

The  students  will  probably  average  one  hundred,  besides  those  belonging 
to  families  resident  here,  and  their  boarding  will  average  sixty  dollars 
per  annum... < 6,000 

The  cost  of  their  books  will  be  not  less  than 1,000 

Incidental  expenses,  professional  services,  clothing  purchased  here,  etc., 
will  not  vary  much  from 1,000 

Expenses  of  parents,  and  other  visitors  of  students  and  professors,  and 
the  trade  they  bring,  may  be  estimated  at 2,000 

$15,750 

This  amount  will  probably  be  doubled  after  the  institu- 
tion shall  have  been  five  years  longer  in  operation.     A 
number  of  lots  have  been  purchased  by  families,  who  in- 
tend to  remove  hither  shortly,  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of  the 
University.     A  considerable  number  of  houses — we  have 
reason  to  suppose — have  been  erected  here,  which  would 
have  been   erected   elsewhere,  had    not   this    institution 
been    founded.      Moreover,    it   is    destined   to   give   ad- 
ditional  fame   to   the   spring,   and   a   sagacious   business 
man,  foreseeing  this  result,  is  erecting  a  building  where 
golden   visitors    may   throng.       The    University  has    in- 
creased  the  value  of  the  real  estate  in   the  place  and 
vicinity.     This  can  not  be  estimated  at  less  than  $300,- 
000,  nor  can  it  have  enhanced  in  value  from  the  institu- 
tion less  than  twenty  per  cent.     Here,  then,  is  a  donation 
to  Delaware  of  860,000.     If  any  one  think  this  extrav- 
agant,  let  him   inquire.     We   have   spoken   only  of  the 
direct  influences;    let  us   advert   to  the  indirect.     The 
prosperity  of  an  inland  town,  possessing  no  water  priv- 
ileges, or  other  local  advantages,  must  depend  upon  that 
of  the  surrounding  country :  the  prosperity  of  a  country 
depends  very  much  upon  its  intelligence.     Remove  the 
present  inhabitants  of  Delaware  county,  and  substitute 
for  them  a  rude  tribe  of  Indians,  and  what  would  its 
14 


162  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

farms  be  worth  ?     What  would  the  village  of  Delaware 
bring?     Make   every  farmer  as  intelligent  as  Professor 
Silliman,  and  every  acre,  every  plow,  every  turnip  would 
be  trebled  in  value,  and  resources  that  may  lie  hidden  for 
ages  might  suddenly  come  to  light.     Heretofore,  farmers 
have  not  felt  the  necessity  of  science;  but  when  they 
shall  have  worn  out  the  forest  mold,  they  will  learn  that 
the  value  of  a  farm  is  intimately  related  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  owner.     But  how  shall  a  people  become  in- 
telligent ?      Provide    common    schools,  and   compel  the 
attendance  of  children,  and  you  have  but  taken  the  first 
step  in  the  public  education.     You  must  take  three  more. 
1.  You  must  secure  competent  teachers,  without  which 
the  school  is  a  farce  and  a  curse.     Where  are  you  to  ob- 
tain these  ?     Men  in  commercial,  professional,  or  agricul- 
tural life,  have  neither  the  habits  nor  the  inclination  for 
teaching.     If  they  had,  they  would  not  abandon  those 
lucrative  pursuits  for  a  scanty  support.     To  the  young 
men  you  must  look  j  and  where  are  they  to  acquire  suit- 
able qualifications  ?     At  the  college.     2.  You  need  com- 
petent school   directors  and  examiners.      And  who   are 
competent  ?     Not  they  who  are  acquainted  merely  with 
grammar,  arithmetic,  and  geography.      They  who  have 
studied  nothing  else,  know  not  these!     You  require  men 
of  enlightened    minds,  of  comprehensive  views,  of  dis. 
ciplined  powers,  who  can  take  an  interest  in  the  diflfusion 
of  knowledge,  examine  the  diff'erent  modes  of  instruc- 
tion, analyze  and  test  proposed  improvements  in  educa- 
tion, and  introduce  such  as  are  truly  valuable.     Whence 
do  such  men  come  ?     In  nearly  every  district  where  the 
common  school  prospers  are  graduates  to  whom  its  vigor 
may  be  traced.     3.  You  need  school  books.     Who  shall 
write  them?     He  who  knows  not  the  laws  of  the  human 
mind,  would  make  but  a  sorry  text-book  in  arithmetic; 
he  who  has   no   acquaintance  with   ancient    languages, 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  163 

would  compile  but  a  meager  grammar;  and  let  none 
but  an  educated  man  write  even  a  primer.  The 
farther  a  mind  is  in  darkness,  the  greater  the  genius 
required  to  bring  it  into  light.  Much  skill  is  requisite 
to  write  for  a  man,  yet  more  to  write  for  a  child.  Col- 
leges are  needful  to  awaken  and  perpetuate  an  interest  in 
common  schools.  The  influence  of  colleges,  in  elevating 
society,  is  immediate  as  well  as  remote.  A  farmer  com- 
ing to  the  seat  of  learning  to  dispose  of  his  produce, 
hears  a  favorable  account  of  the  students,  and  finding 
that  he  can  support  his  son  at  the  University  without 
feeling  it  sensibly,  determines  to  send  him  one  session. 
The  boy  makes  rapid  progress,  and  the  father  is  so  well 
pleased  that  he  continues  him  another  session,  and  then 
another  year.  Upon  his  return,  he  is  the  pride  of  the 
father,  and  the  joy  of  the  mother.  Showing  his  superi- 
ority, incidentally,  in  a  thousand  ways,  he  attracts 
brother  and  sister  to  the  flowery  paths  of  knowledge, 
and  leads  them  by  the  route  he  himself  has  pursued,  to 
the  bright  eminence  which  he  has  attained.  He  now 
organizes  a  debating  club,  and  is  elected  president;  he 
establishes  a  library,  and  is  made  librarian ;  he  delivers  a 
lecture  on  astronomy,  and  excites  general  admiration. 
The  family  now  take  higher  rank  in  the  neighborhood. 
But  this  stings  the  lads  and  lasses  that  have  heretofore 
looked  down  upon  them.  Is  not  this,  say  they.  Minor, 
the  blacksmith  ?  and  was  not  James,  his  son,  once  our 
plowboy?  and  are  not  his  brethren,  Joseph,  and  John, 
and  Henry,  all  with  us?  Well,  father,  exclaim  the 
youth  in  a  dozen  cabins  at  once,  we  will  go  to  college 
too.  Presently  there  is  heard  throughout  the  vicinage,  a 
note  of  preparation — it  enters  the  ears  of  young  James, 
and  is  borne  on  the  wings  of  the  wind  to  his  joyous 
home,  where  it  provokes  his  family  to  resolve  that,  to 
keep  their  ground,  he  must  return  to  college  and  grad- 


164  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

uate.  Meanwhile  the  circle  of  emulation  is  constantly 
widening;  and  what  is  transpiring  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  is  going  on  in  others.  Thus,  in  the  region  of 
the  college,  there  is  a  gradual  elevation  of  the  whole 
platform  of  society.  Industry  is  stimulated,  intelligence 
diffused,  improvements  introduced,  the  public  taste  re- 
fined, enterprise  provoked,  acquaintance  extended,  and 
correspondence  with  distant  points  established;  cabins 
become  villas,  swamps  parterres,  the  forest  is  fragrant 
with  the  lily  and  the  rose,  and  the  whole  land  seems  to 
be  moving  upward  to  the  sun. 

We  have  seen  the  influence  of  the  college  upon  the 
wealth  of  the  town.  What  will  be  the  effect  upon  its 
pleasures?  The  young  people  being  educated  will  be- 
come refined — for  intellectual  pleasures  awaken  a  taste 
for  the  fine  arts — the  door-yards  will  be  adorned  with 
shrubs,  the  gardens  with  statuary,  the  dwellings  with 
paintings,  and  the  evening  carols  of  your  children  will  be 
accompanied  with  tones  sweet  as  those  of  the  harp  of 
David — the  pleasures  of  sense,  and  the  turbulence  of  pas- 
sion, will,  amid  the  general  serenity,  and  beauty,  and 
harmony,  grow  distasteful,  and  when  the  young  gather  to 
their  feast,  it  will  be  a  feast  of  reason,  seasoned  with  the 
exhilarating  pleasures  of  the  eye  and  ear.  /am  not  mad, 
but  ye  are,  if  ye  estimate  the  influence  of  your  college 
upon  the  social  pleasures  of  the  town,  by  a  glance  at 
those  rude  collegians  that  toss  the  ball  on  that  green  em- 
inence, or  lounge  upon  its  grassy  slope.  Look  to  thai 
incipient  library  receiving  perpetual  additions — to  that 
nucleus  of  a  cabinet,  which,  in  its  progressive  enlarge 
ment,  will  exhibit  more  and  more  of  the  beauties  of  na- 
ture— to  that  gallery  of  paintings,  which,  while  I  speak, 
many  may  form  a  fixed  purpose  to  increase,  till  the  eye 
can  be  feasted  and  the  soul  entranced — to  that  laboratory 
we  have  in  view,  where  air  will  be  analyzed,  water  decom 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  165 

posed,  and  lightning  imprisoned — to  those  popular  lec- 
tures on  science,  where  the  humblest  of  your  citizens 
may  learn  philosophy.  Look  at  the  refined  circles  of 
New  Haven.  And  what  influence  upon  the  character 
of  the  village  does  the  college  exert  ?  It  annually  floats 
her  name  upon  a  thousand  leaves  on  all  the  winds  of 
heaven ;  it  proclaims  her  praises  upon  the  public  breath 
through  all  the  regions  of  the  land;  it  writes  your  best 
words,  and  prints  your  best  works,  in  a  book ;  it  praises 
your  health,  and  apologizes  for  your  sickness;  it  will 
grave  your  scenery  with  an  iron  pen,  and  lead,  if  not  in 
the  rock  forever. 

Nor  must  we  omit  to  inquire,  what  will  be  the  influ- 
ence of  the  college  upon  your  village  in  coming  ages? 
The  Eternal  City  may  become  a  waste,  but  the  dominion 
of  her  nobler  minds  will  endure  to  all  generations.  The 
college,  if  fostered,  will  not  only  embalm  the  memory 
of  its  founders,  but  give  immortality  to  their  sons. 
Whence  come  earth's  great  ones — the  Jeffersons,  the 
Erskines,  the  Websters — the  founders  of  constitutions, 
the  expounders  of  law,  the  embassadors  of  nations  ?  As 
a  general  rule,  from  the  college.  Hither  come  the 
bench,  the  bar,  the  senate  chamber,  the  pulpit,  the 
throne,  to  fill  their  vacant  seats.  Place  the  names  of 
your  children  upon  the  college  catalogue,  and,  as  a  gen- 
eral rule,  you  enroll  them  upon  the  scroll  of  respectabil- 
ity, if  not  of  fame.  Graduate  them,  and  they  are  fair 
candidates  for  the  highest  honors  and  emoluments  of  the 
government.  How  great,  then,  the  advantages  you  pos- 
sess over  the  people  of  many  neighboring  towns ! 

The  college,  moreover,  tends  to  produce  a  homogene- 
ous community.  In  nature,  in  providence,  in  grace,  God 
creates  distinctions.  To  his  will  we  should  bow;  but  to 
make  artificial  ones  is  to  thwart  his  design.  It  is  the 
glory  of  this  Union,  that  this  government  can  create  no 


166  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS, 

aristocracy ;  it  is  her  sliame  that  the  purse  can.  It  is  per- 
petually drawing,  in  every  city  and  village,  a  broad  line 
of  demarkation,  which  stops  not  even  at  the  temple  or 
the  grave.  But  let  the  children  of  a  town  be  well  ed- 
ucated, that  line  will  be  narrowed,  if  not  obliterated. 
Let  them  sit  side  by  side  through  a  full  course,  and  they 
will  go  out  brethren  in  the  bands  of  light. 

There  are,  I  know,  disadvantages  connected  with  a 
literary  institution.  Bad  boys  will  play  freaks.  But 
if  any  think  that  these  outweigh  the  advantages,  I  say 
not  he  is  witless,  but  that  the  watch  of  his  wits  needs 
winding  up. 

n.  The  prospects  of  the  institution  will  appear  good, 
if  we  consider  the  interest  of  the  foster  conferences  in  its 
success.  They  passed  resolutions  accepting,  with  its  con- 
ditions, the  donation  of  the  citizens,  and  determined  to 
endow  the  University  speedily,  permanently.  These  res- 
olutions are  pledges  to  the  citizens  of  Delaware,  to  the 
Legislature,  and  to  the  public — they  bind  the  promisors 
in  the  mode  the  promisees  understood  them — they  secure 
all  reasonable  energies  of  the  conferences  to  their  fulfill- 
ment, and  bar  all  action  inconsistent  therewith.  Some 
may,  perhaps,  think  them  of  little  consequence.  What! 
who  compose  these  conferences?  For  the  most  part, 
men  aged,  wise,  good.  Are  they  not  to  be  trusted? 
Have  their  brains  lost  the  scent  of  true  policy?  Itin- 
erant preachers  may  know  little  of  books,  but  surely  they 
know  something  of  men  and  things.  They  are  not  prone 
to  involve  themselves  in  heavy  liabilities  without  consid- 
eration? And  were  not  these  conferences  sincere  as  well 
as  considerate?  Are  their  speeches  but  the  explosions 
of  tickled  lungs?  Are  their  votes  but  the  utterances 
of  "little  nestlings  that  cry  out  on  the  top  of  the  ques- 
tion?" Have  they  never  read  the  ten  commandments? 
Even  men  without  the   Bible  do   not  often  voluntarily 


INAUGURAL    APDRESS.  |$f 

assume  obligations  they  do  not  intend  to  fulfill.  We 
trust  in  the  Indian's  pipe  of  peace — we  rely  on  the  re- 
solve of  lawless  Arabs,  gathered  around  the  slaughtered 
caravan,  and  clamoring  for  the  spoils — we  confide  even  in 
the  pirate  crew  upon  the  deck  slippery  with  the  blood 
of  their  victims,  when  they  deliberately  resolve,  and  can 
we  not  trust  in  a  body  of  Christian  ministers,  who  ven- 
erate truth,  not  only  as  the  bond  of  society,  but  as  the 
attribute  of  God  ?  But,  perchance,  they  will  some  day 
see  a  better  location,  or  have  a  better  offer,  or  find  the 
village  of  Delaware  supine  and  faithless.  What  of  that  ? 
*'  Lord,  who  shall  abide  in  thy  tabernacle  ?  who  shall 
dwell  in  thy  holy  hill  ?  He  that  sweareth  to  his  own 
hurt,  and  changeth  not."  But  may  we  not  see  in  the 
already  written  history  of  this  institution,  an  earnest 
of  the  final  fulfillment  of  the  largest  conference  prom- 
ises? North  Ohio  and  Ohio  conferences  have  sent  out 
agents  into  every  corner  of  the  state  to  solicit  donations 
on  its  behalf,  given  liberally  to  its  funds  from  their  own 
resources,  borrowed  means  on  their  own  credit  to  pay  its 
debts,  and  sent  members  from  their  own  bodies  to  fill  its 
professorships.  We,  upon  this  platform,  know  our  fath- 
ers and  brethren,  and  would  not  be  here,  had  we  doubted 
their  sincerity.  We  have  no  wish  to  enact  a  farce  at  a 
sulphur  spring,  or  to  feed,  promise-crammed,  upon  the 
air.  But  is  not  collegiate  education  new  and  strangle  to 
Methodism  ?  Nay :  she  was  born,  cradled,  and  baptized 
within  college  walls,  and  she  has  manifested  a  zeal  for 
education  worthy  her  origin.  What  Church  in  the 
United  States,  save  one,  is  founding  so  many  literary  in- 
stitutions as  she?  But  are  not  her  seminaries  of  learn- 
ing the  results  of  youthful  zeal  and  indiscretion  ?  True, 
many  of  our  young  and  educated  men  are  doing  duty 
manfully  in  this  department,  but  many  others — we  jsay  it 
more   in   sorrow  than  in  anger — are   indiflFerent  to  our 


168  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

educational  enterprises,  as  if  they  would  fain  see  the 
seats  which  death  vacates  around  them,  filled  up  with  the 
ignorant,  that  they  might  the  better  "  lord  it  over  God's 
heritage."  The  old  preachers  are  the  hope  of  our  col- 
lege. When  this  institution  first  went  up  to  the  North 
Ohio  conference,  its  senior  members  were  her  advocates : 
they  are  still  her  firm  and  ardent  friends.  When  she 
first  knocked  at  the  door  of  the  Ohio  conference,  and 
when  her  enemies  waxed  strong  in  their  resistance,  and 
when  her  friends  became  weak  with  fear,  who  was  it  that 
arose,  and,  by  an  overmastering  eloquence,  prostrated  all 
opposition,  and  raised  every  hand  for  her  admittance  ? 
It  was  one  whose  temples  are  crowned  with  hoary  locks. 
When  she  went  up  last  autumn  naked  and  hungry  to 
yonder  temple  of  convocation  in  Cincinnati,  who  ran  to 
meet  her  in  the  vestibule,  and  fell  on  her  neck  and  kissed 
her,  and  throwing  the  best  robe  around  her  shoulders, 
and  putting  a  golden  ring  upon  her  fingers,  and  shoes  on 
her  feet,  led  her  to  his  brethren,  and  went  up  and  down 
the  aisles  "making  merry"  with  his  friends?  It  was  a 
father  who,  long  since,  seeking,  like  Abraham,  a  better 
country,  pitched  his  tent  upon  this  spot,  before  civilized 
man  had  reared  his  cabin  upon  it,  and  who  threaded  the 
wilderness  beyond,  clad  with  a  blanket,  to  preach  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  in  the  wigwams  of  the  sav- 
age. If  the  University  pass  through  a  fiery  trial,  to 
whom  does  she  turn  for  an  advocate  ?  It  is  a  man  that 
trembles  on  his  stafi"  who  rises — it  is  an  eye  dimmed 
with  age,  that  flashes  with  indignation,  and  a  mind 
matured  by  threescore  years  and  ten,  that  feels  for  the 
pillars  of  her  assailant's  argument.  Look  yonder !  they 
are  taking  up  a  collection  in  conference.  Here  comes  a 
young  man  well-dressed,  well-fed,  well-educated.  He 
comes  from  a  wealthy  station,  where  he  has  married  a 
rich   wife.     He   would   not   have   come   at   all,    at   this 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  169 

moment,  but  that,  through  inadvertence,  he  did  not 
escape  from  the  house  before  his  name  was  called.  As 
he  steps  to  the  table,  he  dryly  says,  ''Set  me  down  five 
dollars."  But  now  an  old  man  rises,  pocket-book  in  hand, 
and  moves  toward  the  secretary's  desk.  Forty  years  ago, 
a  vigorous  youth,  mounting  his  horse,  bidding  farewell  to 
his  weeping  friends,  and  turning  his  eyes  away  from  the 
alluring  paths  of  honor  and  riches  along  the  banks  of 
the  Potomac,  he  started,  at  the  call  of  the  Church,  for 
the  wilds  of  Ohio.  The  valley  of  the  Muskingum  was 
his  circuit,  and  joyfully  he  sang  the  songs  of  Zion 
through  the  woods,  looking  up  the  home  of  the  emi- 
grant, to  preach  Jesus  to  him  and  his  household.  Some- 
times the  night  overtakes  him  in  a  pathless  swamp,  and 
he  spends  the  hours  of  darkness  amid  howling  wolves  or 
prowling  bears.  Sickness  seizes  him,  but  he  rises  before 
he  has  recovered,  rejoicing  to  pursue  his  way.  And  now 
his  natural  force  is  abated,  his  eyes  are  dim,  and  a  large 
family  depends  upon  him  for  support.  He  comes  this 
year  from  a  circuit,  where  a  people  have  sprung  up  that 
knew  not  Jacob,  but  on  Ft'sgah's  top  he  sings, 

"  No  foot  of  land  do  I  possess — 

No  cottage  in  this  wilderness, 

A  poor,  wayfaring  man." 

Well,  when  he  reaches  the  table  he  lays  down  twenty- 
five  dollars,  and  blesses  God  that  he  has  it  to  give  to  a 
Methodist  college.  I  draw  no  fancy  sketch.  When  I 
hear  the  Methodist  preachers  of  former  days  accused 
of  opposing  education,  I  repel  the  charge — unless  it  be 
qualified — as  a  base  calumny.  'Tis  pseudo-Methodism, 
not  genuine,  that  sneers  at  learning.  Some  of  her 
preachers,  I  know,  did  underrate  knowledge,  and  there 
are  a  few  now  among  us,  both  old  and  young,  of  the  same 
character.  They  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  science, 
because  it  is  not  the  smooth  stone  from  the  brook  :  they 

15 


170  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

won't  use  Goliath's  sword,  even  to  cut  off  Goliath's  head. 
They  tell  us  God  has  no  need  of  human  learning ;  but 
they  seem  to  think  he  has  great  need  of  human  igno- 
rance.  We  believe  he  cati  carry  on  his  work  without 
either.  The  question  is,  whether  he  will.  If  not,  which 
instrumentality  will  he  select?  a  Jit  one  or  an  nnjit  ?  Let 
the  analogies  of  his  providence  answer.  When,  for  in- 
stance, he  sends  an  angel  with  a  prophet's  dinner,  what 
does  he  give  him  ?  a  bag  of  sand,  or  "  cakes  baken  on 
the  coals  ?  " 

Admit  that  the  conferences  are  interested  in  sustaining 
the  institution,  will  the  people  sustain  them?  We  be- 
lieve so. 

They  are  able.  A  dollar  from  each  member  would 
answer  all  our  purposes  for  an  age.  And  can  they  not 
spare  it?  Hundreds  of  them  give  more  than  this  annu- 
ally to  look  at  monkeys,  and  will  they  not  give  it  to  edu- 
cate men  ?  Multitudes  give  ten  times  that  amount  every 
year  to  burn  cigars,  and  will  they  not  give  this  much  to 
enkindle  immortal  minds  ?  Thousands  of  families  among 
us  have  hoarded  treasure,  from  which  they  might  abstract 
enough  for  a  college,  and  yet  have  sufficient  left  to  bind 
the  hands,  and  cord  the  feet,  and  blast  the  intellects,  and 
blacken  the  hearts  of  their  sons,  and  send  them  rattling 
down  a  turnpike  road  to  hell.  There  is  ten  times  enough 
surplus  wealth  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Ohio  to  endow  a  university  handsomely,  and  happy  would 
it  be  for  that  Church  could  we  withdraw  it  from  her 
coffers,  even  if  it  were  cast  into  the  depths  of  the  sea. 

They  are  willing.  Are  not  Christians  ready  to  do  their 
duty  ?  What !  is  there  no  difference  between  the  sinner 
and  the  Christian?  What,  then,  is  this  difference? 
The  same  that  there  is  between  selfishness  and  benevo- 
lence, between  living  to  this  world,  and  dying  to  it,  be- 
tween laying  up  treasures  on  earth,  and  laying  them  up 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  171 

in  heaven.  And  arc  Methodists  all  hypocrites?  There 
may  be  among  them  some  such,  but  the  hody  are  sincere : 
or  are  they  deceived  ?  is  their  profession  empty  air,  their 
regeneration  a  chimera,  and  their  rapture  but  the  ardor 
of  ill-regulated  passion  ?  Nay,  verily.  There  is  as  much 
true,  intelligent,  self-sacrificing  religion  among  them,  as 
among  any  people  on  earth.  Convince  them  of  their 
duty,  and  they  will  do  it.  I  believe  they  can  be  shown 
that  it  is  their  duty  to  sustain  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity; therefore,  I  believe  they  will. 

1.  Is  it  not  clearly  the  duty  of  a  Church  to  give  a 
thorough  education  to  her  best  minds?  Within  the 
Methodist  cabins  of  Ohio  there  may  be  an  Isaac  Newton, 
or  a  Robert  Hall;  but,  if  uneducated,  the  one  may  be 
the  village  blacksmith,  the  other  the  country  magistrate, 
and  neither  may  be  known  beyond  the  limits  of  his  native 
county.  But  Methodist  youths  may  be  sent  to  Presbyte- 
rian or  other  colleges.  That  has  been  done,  and  what, 
generally,  is  the  result?  They  are  Methodists  no  longer, 
but  give  their  talents  to  the  Church  which  has  educated 
them :  according  to  the  general  law  of  Providence,  that 
when  a  people  do  not  improve  their  blessings,  they  are 
taken  from  them,  and  given  to  another  that  will  bring 
forth  the  fruits  thereof.  There  are,  probably,  one  hun- 
dred Methodist  youths  in  the  other  denominational  col- 
leges of  this  state. 

2.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  furnish  her  propor- 
tion of  teachers  for  the  children  of  the  republic. 

3.  She  is  bound  to  make  a  judicious  use  of  all  the 
means  which  Providence  offers  her  of  spreading  the  Gos- 
pel. One  of  the  most  efficient  is  the  press.  To  some 
extent  it  has  been  employed  by  the  Church,  in  the  hands 
of  Luther,  Wesley,  and  others.  It  is  still  a  great  bless- 
ing, as  used  by  the  Churches;  but  look  at  its  chief 
issues:  silly  poetry,  corrupting  novels,  miserable  heresy, 


172  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

concealed  infidelity,  and  Atheistic  science — "falsely  so 
called" — stimulants  to  the  lust  of  the  eye,  the  lust  of 
the  flesh,  and  the  pride  of  life.  It  seems  as  if  Satan  had 
come  up  from  the  pit  to  manage  the  press.  He  employs 
the  best  ruined  minds  of  earth  to  prepare  its  matter,  and 
uses  Christian  as  well  as  sinful  fingers  to  set  the  type, 
and  kindle  the  fires,  and  direct  the  steam,  and  catch  the 
ten  thousand  sheets  as  they  are  thrown  oflf  every  hour, 
and  bear  them,  unbound,  to  the  railroad  depot,  that  they 
may  be  hurried  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  for  the  poison- 
ing of  the  nations.  Nor  do  these  leaves  merely  preoc-  ' 
cupy  the  irreligious  and  infidel  mind;  they  are  too  often 
pufi'ed  by  the  religious  press  into  the  finest  fields  of  the 
Church,  to  corrupt  the  fountains  of  her  spiritual  life. 
And  how  shall  Zion  rescue  the  press  from  its  perversion  ? 
She  must  polish  the  minds  of  her  noblest  youth,  till  they 
can  rival  the  glowing  pages  of  Scott,  and  Voltaire,  and 
Sue — a  process  which  requires  the  college. 

4.  The  Church  is  bound  to  keep  pace  with  the  age  in 
knowledge,  that  she  may  turn  its  disclosures  to  good 
account.  Within  the  last  half  century,  the  progress  of 
science  has  been  unparalleled,  and  yet  she  seems  but  to 
have  reached  the  vestibule  of  discovery.  As  all  addi- 
tions to  science  throw  additional  light  upon  the  attri- 
butes of  God,  we  might  suppose  that  religion  would 
advance  foot  to  foot  with  learning — that  every  discovery 
would  awaken  in  the  philosophic  mind  a  deeper  adora- 
tion of  the  Creator,  an  intenser  interest  in  his  word,  and 
a  stricter  obedience  to  his  commandments.  But,  alas ! 
for  human  depravity.  The  philosopher  can  pass  through 
the  beautiful  display  of  affinities  in  the  ocean's  depths, 
ascend  the  successive  strata  of  the  solid  globe,  and  survey 
new  wonders  in  the  sidereal  heavens,  with  an  ungodly 
mind  and  a  prayerless  heart;  nay,  he  often  suffers  his 
acquisitions  to  generate  a  sullen  pride,  which  looks  with 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  173 

scorn  upon  the  claims  of  God,  and  the  sacrifice  of  Christ. 
Atheism,  Deism,  and  heresy  often  join  themselves  to 
Science,  and  endeavor  to  turn  her  revelations  against  the 
Bible.  If  Paul's  spirit  was  stirred  within  him  when  he 
saw  the  Athenian  altar  to  the  unknown  God,  should  not 
the  Church  be  awakened  when  she  sees  philosophy,  riper 
than  Atheism,  questioning  the  existence  of  the  Creator, 
amid  the  most  sublime  demonstrations  of  his  power,  and 
repudiating  his  mercy  amid  the  most  persuasive  exhibi- 
tions of  his  love?  Christianity  should  walk  hand  in 
hand  with  Science,  through  all  her  green  and  sunlit 
paths,  teaching  her  to  say  with  increased  emphasis,  at 
every  ascending  footstep,  "Great  and  marvelous  are  thy 
works,  Lord  God  Almighty,"  and  responding  herself  in 
that  other  and  nobler  strain,  "Just  and  true  are  thy 
ways,  thou  King  of  saints."  She  should  stand  side  by 
side  with  her  upon  the  loftiest  summits;  and  as  Philoso- 
phy, pointing  to  the  newly-discovered  sun,  exclaims, 
"Hail,  holy  light!"  Christianity,  pointing  beyond  the 
stars,  to  that  higher  and  holier  light,  whence  stream, 
throughout  the  universe,  the  beams  of  righteousness, 
should  cry  out,  "Halleluiah!  halleluiah!  the  Lord  God 
omnipotent  reigneth !"  And  that  she  may  thus  make 
the  regions  of  science  vocal  with  praise,  she  should  have 
the  discipline  and  the  acquisitions  of  the  college.  Breth- 
ren may  say,  let  other  Churches  attend  to  science — be  it 
ours,  like  our  fathers,  to  preach  salvation.  Our  fathers 
did  not  merely  do  this.  Witness  Clarke,  and  Watson, 
and  Benson,  and  Bunting.  Circumstances,  too,  have 
changed  since  the  days  of  our  American  fathers.  Meth- 
odism can  no  longer,  like  the  wild  ass  free,  scorn  the  mul- 
titudes of  the  city,  while  she  makes  the  wilderness  her 
house,  and  the  barren  land  her  dwellings. 

5.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  resist  the  encroach- 
ments of  Romanism.     I  am,  by  no  means,  disposed  to 


^ 


174  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

bring  railing  accusations  against  "Mother  Church;" 
rather  would  I  apologize  for  her.  She  has  come  down 
through  ages  of*  darkness  and  channels  of  corruption, 
what  wonder  if  her  sight  be  weak,  her  garments  defiled? 
The  following  propositions  will,  however,  command  a 
ready  assent  even  from  the  most  liberal,  enlightened  Chris- 
tian charity,  namely:  That  Romanism  substitutes  faith 
/  in  the  Church  for  faith  in  Christ;  reduces  faith  itself 
^  from  fiducial  trust  tQ.  mere  assent;  prevents  the  growth 
I  of  her  people  in  grace,  by  withholding  the  "sincere  milk 
of  the  word;"  weakens  the  authority  of  Gospel  precepts, 
*T^  by  her  practices  of  indulgence  and  absolution;  incum- 
bers the  simple  ordinances  of  God  with  complex  ceremo- 
nies of  man,  and  grasps  at  the  scepter  of  the  world,  by 
assuming  to  take  its  conscience  into  her  holy  keeping. 
And,  although  in  this  country  the  principles  of  Roman- 
ism are  modified  by  the  progress  of  the  age,  the  spirit  of 
free  institutions,  and  the  influence  of  surrounding  Prot- 
estantism, yet,  we  have  every  reason  to  believe  that, 
should  she  ever  gain  the  ascendency  in  this  country,  her 
principles  would  assume  their  original  shape,  and  work 
out  their  legitimate  results.  That  she  is  striving  for  the 
ascendency,  there  can  be  no  doubt,  and  that  she  aims  to 
compass  this  end  by  becoming  the  presiding  genius  of 
American  education,  seems  equally  clear.  When  once 
she  allures  the  youth  to  her  halls,  "  Jieh'gioni  et  artibus 
sacrum,"  she  begins  to  spread  her  vail  over  his  eyes. 
And  this  is  easy;  for  she  directs  his  studies,  closes  up 
^is^  communication  with  the  world,  wins  his  confidence 
by  kind  attentions,  enchants  him  with  her  imposing  cere- 
monies, and  alarms  him  by  gradually  pressing  upon  his 
immature  mind  her  favorite  dogma,  "salvation  in  the 
arms  of  the  Church  only."  We  blame  her  not  for  this : 
her  principles  demand  it.  But  shame  on  the  Protestant- 
ism which  says  those  principles  are  from  hell,  yet  stirs 


INAUGUKAL    ADDRESS.  175 

not  to  counterwork  them.  The  vigorous,  youthful  mind 
of  these  United  States  will  be  educated;  and  if  it  find 
no  provision  for  this  purpose  in  Protestant  Churches, 
what  wonder  if  it  turn  to  holy  Mother?  That  Univer- 
sity will  stand  while  nations  are  overturned.  If  Meth- 
odism falter  in  its  support,  and  finally  forsake  it,  Roman- 
ism will  come  to  its  relief;  and  gladly  would  she  now  run 
up  those  winding  stairs,  to  nail  the  wooden  cross  to  yon 
dome.  God  hide  me  from  such  an  hour.  But  what  have 
I  lived  to  see?  Methodist  youths  within  the  walls  of 
Catholic  nunneries  and  monasteries,  for  the  sake  of  cheap 
Latin  and  Greek !  And  what  may  I  live  to  see  ?  Those 
same  young  men  and  women  returning  home  with  golden 
crosses  upon  their  bosoms,  to  scorn  the  religion  of  their 
dying  and  broken-hearted  parents,  while  the  sighs  upon 
every  breeze  ask,  what  is  the  reason?  And  the  silver  in 
the  cofi"ers  answers,  it  is  not  with  me;  and  the  barns, 
pressed  out  with  new  grain,  and  the  cattle  upon  a  thou- 
sand hills  respond,  it  is  not  with  us. 

What  a  contrast  does  the  policy  of  Rome  present  to 
ours!  Shall  Methodism  be  like  the  ostrich,  which  God 
hath  deprived  of  wisdom,  and  which  leaveth  her  eggs  in 
the  earth,  and  warmeth  them  in  the  dust,  and  forgetteth 
that  the  foot  may  crush  them,  or  that  the  beast  may 
break  them  ?  Is  she  hardened  against  her  young  ones, 
as  though  they  were  not  hers?  Romanism,  like  the 
eagle,  ''mounts  up  and  maketh  her  nest  on  high;  she 
dwelleth  and  abideth  on  the  rock — upon  the  crag  of  the 
rock,  and  the  strong  place.  From  thence  she  seeketh  her 
prey,  and  her  eyes  behold  afar  off. 

6.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  occupy  the  mission- 
ary fields  which  the  Divine  providence  is  opening.  And 
how  extensive  are  these  fields !  The  isles  of  the  sea  wait 
for  God's  law;  India  ofi"ers  her  immense  population  to 
unembarrassed  Christian  enterprise;  Egypt,  Persia,  Tur- 


176  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

key,  and  Arabia,  are  yielding  to  the  advance  of  Christian 
civilization;  China,  separated,  for  ages,  from  the  Chris- 
tian world  by  an  impenetrable  wall,  has  suddenly  pre- 
sented defenseless  borders,  and  invited  the  armies  of 
Zion  to  the  conquest,  at  once,  of  half  the  human  race; 
and  Africa,  already  illumined  at  her  northern  and  south- 
ern extremities,  by  reflection  from  Europe,  and  irradiated 
on  her  western  border  by  the  dawn  of  a  Gospel  morning, 
turns  a  hundred  gates  upon  their  golden  hinges,  opening 
the  paths  of  her  interior  mountains  to  the  feet  of  ''  him 
that  bringeth  good  tidings."  How  shall  we  respond  to 
these  trumpet  calls?  Will  the  benighted  millions  be 
converted  unless  they  hear?  And  how  shall  they  hear 
without  a  preacher?  and  how  shall  they  have  preachers 
unless  some  be  sent?  and  whom  shall  we  send?  Men 
with  suitable  qualifications,  surely.  What  are  these? 
Piety  and  a  call  from  God,  are  a  sine  qua  non  in  relation 
to  the  minister;  but  something  more  may  be  necessary. 
As  the  Bible  must  be  translated,  stupid  millions  aroused 
and  enlightened,  the  rising  generation  trained  and  edu- 
cated, the  captious  Brahmin  met  and  confounded,  and 
the  hollowness  of  a  venerable  and  gorgeous  philosophy 
exposed,  surely,  in  a  world,  and  under  a  dispensation, 
where  God  works  according  to  immutable  laws,  a  disci- 
plined understanding,  a  taste  for  study,  and  a  knowledge 
of  the  principles  of  language,  and  the  laws  of  the  human 
mind,  are  indispensable.  If,  therefore,  the  Church  needs 
missionaries  of  such  qualifications,  she  is  bound  to  erect 
colleges,  where  they  may  be  obtained :  not  that  she  may 
make  missionaries,  but  that  she  may  make  men,  whom 
God  may  make  missionaries. 

III.  The  community  at  large  is  interested  in  sustaining 
this  college.  Colleges  are  barriers  to  many  of  the  great- 
est evils  which  threaten  this  Union.     We  instance  a  few: 

1.  Avarice.     This  has  prevailed  in  all  ages,  and  has 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  177 

generally  increased  with  the  progress  of  civilization.  It 
is  more  to  be  feared  in  a  republican  than  a  monarchical 
government.  Rome  and  Carthage  may  trace  their  de- 
struction to  it;  and  our  Union,  which,  in  her  infancy, 
imitated  the  early  virtues  of  those  ancient  states,  seems, 
prematurely,  to  be  following  the  steps  which  led  to  their 
decline. 

We  who  boast  our  independence,  bow  the  pliant  knee 
to  King  Money,  who  commands  more  respect  in  free 
America  than  royalty  itself  in  monarchical  Europe.  Nor 
is  this  tyrant  a  discerning  one.  Although  he  sometimes 
patronizes  virtue,  and  promotes  learning  and  religion,  he 
more  frequently  is  the  forerunner  of  luxury  and  eflFemi- 
nacy,  the  companion  of  vice,  and  the  refuge  of  crime. 
We  see  him  often  silencing  the  pulpit,  swaying  the  halls 
of  legislation,  corrupting  the  bench,  and  even  cutting  the 
rope  of  criminal  justice.  Well  has  inspiration  written, 
"The  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil" — itself 
neither  good  nor  evil,  and,  when  properly  employed,  a 
great  blessing,  yet,  when  it  commands  the  heart,  an  all- 
comprehending  curse.  The  nation,  as  the  individual, 
that  covets  money,  "falls  into  temptation  and  a  snare, 
and  into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown 
men  in  destruction  and  perdition."  The  speculations  of 
the  past  ten  years  are  a  fearful  proof.  What  shall  arrest 
this  growing  evil  ?  The  only  effectual  barrier  is  the  Gos- 
pel ;  but  auxiliaries  should  not  be  despised,  more  espe- 
cially since  "the  God  of  this  world  blinds  the  minds  of 
them  that  believe  not,  lest  the  light  of  the  Gospel  should 
shine  unto  them."  Among  these  auxiliaries  is  the  col- 
lege. The  common  school  may  stimulate  the  desire  for 
money,  by  furnishing  abilities  for  its  acquisition,  but  the 
college  bears  us  above  the  region  of  utilitarianism,  to  the 
land  of  the  fair  and  the  pure,  where  men  drink  of  the 
Pierian  spring,  not  shallow  and  intoxicating  draughts, 


178  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

but  deep  and  sobering  ones.  Learning,  by  enlarging  the 
understanding,  enables  us  to  make  a  proper  estimate  of 
the  purpose  of  life;  by  furnishing  subjects  of  pleasing 
and  profitable  meditation,  it  allays  our  anxieties  in  pros- 
perity, and,  by  affording  elevating  and  tranquilizing 
amusements,  it  moderates  our  sorrows  in  adversity.  It 
refines  the  taste,  and  thus  excites  disgust  at  unworthy 
occupations  and  disproportionate  desires.  It  weakens 
the  influence  of  that  part  of  our  nature  which  we  have 
in  common  with  brutes,  by  stimulating  that  which  we 
have  in  common  with  angels.  It  diminishes  the  charms 
of  our  outer  possessions  by  broadening  and  beautifying 
our  inner.  The  scholar  finds  within  himself  a  world  of 
light,  where  he  can  survey  the  Coliseum,  tread  the  Pan- 
theon, stand  upon  Mars'  Hill,  or  muse  within  the  Porch, 
the  Academy,  or  the  Lyceum.  Here  he  can  study  meta- 
physics with  Aristotle,  languages  with  Plato,  mathemat- 
ics with  Euclid,  and  philosophy  with  Socrates.  He  can 
soar  and  sing  with  Homer,  sail  the  seas  with  Caesar,  and 
conquer  the  world  with  Alexander.  Learning  dimin- 
ishes the  attractions  of  business  by  increasing  the  attrac- 
tions of  nature.  As  the  scholar  walks  abroad,  the  flow- 
ers of  the  field  discourse  sweetly  in  his  soul's  ear ;  every 
mineral  beneath  his  footsteps  seems  his  own  familiar 
friend,  and  every  animal  in  his  pathway  speaks  volumes 
in  accents  which  he  understands.  Truth  springs  out  of 
the  earth  to  meet  him ;  righteousness  looks  down  from 
heaven  to  smile  upon  him;  the  winds  break  forth  around 
him  into  melody;  the  universe  becomes  to  him  a  temple; 
and,  as  he  swells  its  worship  and  song,  tell  him  of  the 
money-changers,  and  you  provoke  him  to  make  a  scourge 
of  small  cords.  There  may  be  scholars  who  are  mean 
and  worldly,  but  they  are  so  in  spite  of  the  tendencies 
of  learning.  Few  of  the  truly-learned  are  inordinately 
pursuing  wealth. 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  179 

2.  Another  evil  which  threatens  our  nation  is,  her  po- 
litical conflicts.  The  patronage  of  the  President,  always 
great,  has,  at  length,  become  alarming,  and  the  scramble 
which  it  encourages  may  yet  tear  the  government  in 
pieces.  It  is  easy  to  see  that  corruption  and  overthrow 
await  any  republic  in  which  the  elections  are  a  strife  for 
spoils.  What  is  the  remedy?  Patronage  is  essential  to 
administration,  and  if  transferred  to  the  senate,  or  any 
other  co-ordinate  branch,  we  should,  probably,  have  more 
corruption  with  less  responsibility.  Colleges  have  a  tend- 
ency to  correct  this  evil  by  increasing  the  intelligence 
of  the  people,  and  diminishing  the  number  of  aspirants 
for  ofl&ce.  Who  are  such  ?  Not  successful  professional 
men;  they  scorn  the  demagogue.  Not  the  philosopher; 
he  who  can  number  and  weigh  the  stars  can  be  readily 
reconciled  to  a  limited  dominion  over  the  creatures  of  a 
day.  His  "promised  wonders,"  visions  of  past  and  pres- 
ent worlds,  have  composed  his  mind  "into  the  calm  of  a 
contented  knowledge."  He  shouts  not  in  the  maddened 
crowd.  Who,  then,  are  they  that  clamor  for  office  ? 
Quacks,  pettifoggers,  theological  experimenters — mere 
mental  cripples,  who,  being  unable  to  live  by  professional 
tricks,  resort  to  political  ones.  Establish  colleges  numer- 
ous as  society  demands,  and  you  will  fill  the  professions 
with  men  who,  pursuing  their  avocations  with  credit  to 
themselves,  and  profit  to  the  community,  would  scorn  to 
bow  where  "  thrift  may  follow  fawning."  True,  we  have 
scholars  in  public  life,  but  they  generally  occupy  a  high 
station,  which  they  rarely  seek,  and  reluctantly  fill. 

3.  Another  national  evil  we  have  to  dread  is,  the 
tendency  of  our  government  to  usurpation.  The  object 
of  the  framers  of  our  Constitution  was,  a  government  in 
equilibrium,  tending  neither  to  consolidation  nor  disun- 
ion. When  they  had  completed  their  work,  there  were 
distinguished  statesmen  who  pronounced  it  a  rope  of 


180  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

sand.  Had  they  lived  to  this  day,  they  would  have 
found  the  rope  not  very  sandy.  We  have  trying  times 
ahead.  Look  at  our  political  horizon  !  I  see  a  cloud  of 
war  rising  in  the  westj  I  behold  a  whirlwind  coming 
from  the  eastj  "I  perceive  a  storm,  big  with  thunder 
and  lightning,  gathering  in  the  south,  which,  wherever 
the  hurricane  shall  carry  it,  will  fill  all  places  with  a 
shower  of  blood."  We  need,  in  the  vessel  of  state,  pi- 
lots such  as  Pericles — marines  that  have  mused  at  the 
Pass  of  Thermopylae,  and  the  Bay  of  Salamis,  or  read 
epitaphs  on  the  plains  of  Marathon.  We  need  com- 
manders like  him  who 

"  Wielded,  at  will,  the  fierce  democracy, 
And  fulmined  over  Greece  to  Macedon, 
And  Artaxerxes'  throne." 

Where  shall  we  look  for  them  ?  Go  ask  history  who 
have  been  the  asserters  of  liberty.  Who  burst  the 
chains  which  had  bound  the  civilized  world  in  a  bondage 
of  ages?  The  classical  Luther.  Who,  from  time  to  time, 
resisted  the  encroachments  of  monarchy,  and  hedged 
thrones  about  with  constitutional  restrictions  ?  Who 
was  John  Hampden,  that  rose  alone,  "  the  argument  of 
all  tongues,"  in  resistance  to  taxation  by  prerogative, 
and  at  whose  voice,  when  an  appeal  was  made  to  arms, 
ten  thousand  flaming  swords  leaped  from  the  thighs  of 
freemen  ?  Who  first  resisted  taxation  without  represent- 
ation ?  Wherever  an  argument  was  to  be  made,  or  a 
battle  to  be  fought,  there  were  the  sons  of  Yale  and  Har- 
vard. Who  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence? 
All  graduates  but  ten,  and  they  scholars.  Who  framed 
the  American  Constitution  ?  Its  principles  were  drawn 
by  classical  scholars,  through  ancient  languages  and  from 
ancient  forms  of  government.  The  spirit  of  the  college  is 
the  spirit  of  liberty.  From  those  halls  we  hope  to  send 
out  a  phalanx  hostile,  terrible,  destructive  to  the  hosts  of 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  181 

fwlitical  corruption.  Let  demagogues  and  despots  oppose 
colleges — 'tis  fitting  tliey  should ;  but  the  patriot  and  the 
statesman  will  rally  to  their  support. 

Though  the  village,  the  Church,  the  community,  be 
deeply  engaged  in  erecting  the  University,  it  is  necessary 
to  make  a  further  inquiry;  for  unless  God  build  the 
house,  they  labor  in  vain  that  build  it.  Better  lay  our 
foundations  on  the  earthquake,  than  without  his  bless- 
ing; but  this,  we  trust,  we  have.  Christianity  has  al- 
ways found  learning  an  important  auxiliary.  It  was 
planted  by  men  of  extraordinary  and  supernatural  schol- 
arship ;  it  flourished  in  the  first  ages  under  the  labors  of 
Clemens,  Origen,  Chrysostom,  Ambrose,  Augustine — men 
of  the  ripest  learning;  it  was  revived  by  Wickliffe,  Me- 
lancthon,  Calvin,  Knox,  and  others — as  profound  in  phi- 
losophy as  in  piety;  it  has  been  spreading  in  the  latter 
days  under  Wesley,  Whitefield,  Edwards,  Witherspoon, 
Fisk — as  celebrated  for  literature  as  religion.  Piety 
without  knowledge  often  degenerates  into  superstition, 
enthusiasm,  or  heresy.  That  we  may  have  learning  with- 
out religion  is  true,  and  that  it  may  prove  a  curse  as  it 
did  in  revolutionary  France  is  also  true;  but  that  relig- 
ion makes  no  great  progress  without  learning  is  a  propo- 
sition equally  clear.  Then  the  Divine  blessing  must 
be  upon  the  means  of  its  promotion.  The  college 
teaches  truth — -from  God,  leading,  unless  perverted,  to 
God,  and,  like  God,  eternal — dwelling  in  light.  We 
have  laid  our  corner-stone  in  prayer,  we  are  carrying  on 
our  work  in  faith,  and  we  hope  to  bring  forth  the  cope- 
stone  with  shouting.  May  we  not  expect  revivals  '.  If 
not,  we  shall  be  less  fortunate  than  any  other  Christian 
college.  If  we  have  God's  blessing,  though  we  must 
work  with  the  sword  in  one  hand  and  the  trowel  in  the 
other,  we  shall  complete  our  structure. 

I  have  no  time  to  notice  objections ;  but  when  we  ap- 


182  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

peal  for  support,  how  often  are  we  met  with  this :  The 
college  is  important,  but  it  is  designed  for  the  rich,  let 
them  found  and  sustain  it!  A  great  mistake;  the  rich 
can  have  colleges  in  their  own  houses,  or  send  to  Europe. 
It  is  the  poor  man  that  the  college  specially  blesses.  One- 
half  the  pupils  of  our  colleges  are  the  sons  of  the  poor; 
one-third,  perhaps,  rely  more  or  less  upon  themselves  for 
support.  When  the  college  comes  into  a  place,  let  the 
poor  utter  their  voice  and  clap  their  hands  on  high. 
Look  yonder !  those  halls  are  hung  with  tapestry,  those 
glasses  sparkle  with  vermilion,  those  floors  are  spread 
with  carpets  of  Turk'i^y's  richest  dye;  there  appetite  is 
sated,  sense  entranced,  and  passion  frantic  with  enjoy- 
ment ;  but,  lo !  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness 
stands  within  the  portals.  At  midnight  a  cry  is  heard, 
the  pillow  of  down  groans,  terrors  take  hold  of  the  house 
like  waters,  and,  ere  the  cock  crows  thrice,  the  master 
of  that  mansion  is  numbered  with  the  shrouded  dead. 
Scarce  are  his  remains  interred,  when  a  new  grief  comes 
upon  his  youthful  widow.  She  learns  that  his  estate  is 
insolvent,  and,  kneeling,  trusts  in  the  Father  of  the  fa- 
therless, and  the  widow's  God.  A  few  friends  procure 
for  her  a  neat  cottage  on  the  common,  and  her  father  be- 
stows upon  her  a  small  annuity.  And  now  her  chief  care 
is  her  sons.  Musing  in  the  serene  evening,  she  observes 
the  light  streaming  from  the  college  dome.  Suddenly  an 
inward  light  flashes  on  her  mind :  "Riches  take  to  them- 
selves wings  and  fly  away,"  and  "  the  friends  they  bring 
depart  with  them.  Knowledge  and  virtue  are  the  true 
and  enduring  riches."  She  forms  her  resolve,  dismisses 
her  anxiety,  and  for  once  the  pallet  of  straw  is  soft  to  her 
temples.  The  next  morning,  seated  before  her  open 
Bible,  she  calls  up  her  rosy-cheeked  boys,  folds  an  arm 
around  each,  and  impressing  a  kiss,  first  upon  the  lips  of 
one,  and  then  upon  the  cheeks  of  the  other,  says,  "My 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  183 

8ons,  'lover  and  friend  hath  God  put  far  from  me,  and 
mine   acquaintance   into  darkness,'  my  riches  have  dis- 
solved as  dew,  my  heart  is  weaned  from  earth,  and  I  have 
no  wish  to  live  but  for  your  sakes.     The  dread  of  rearing 
you  in  ignorance  and  poverty  has  been  too  painful  for 
me;  but,  look!  yonder  is  the  college;  its  doors  are  open 
to  the  poor,  its  honors  free  to  the  fatherless.     The  cost 
of  collegiate  education  consists  mainly  in  the  expense  of 
board ;  the  danger  of  it  in  the  absence  of  parental  care; 
but,  in  the  midst  of  our  calamities,  we  are  fortunate ;  for 
our  location  gives  us  advantages  over  most  of  the  wealthy 
families  of  the  land.     Go,  my  sons;  be  the  joy  of  your 
widowed  mother;  struggle  with  the  sons  of  fortune;  let 
your  riches  be  the  immortal  riches  of  the  mind ;  so  shall 
ye  be  my  jewels."     Years  revolve,  and,  on  a  bright  sum- 
mer morning,  an  immense  crowd  fills  the  spacious  chapel 
to    witness     commencement    exercises.      Who    is    that 
sprightly  youth  ?     It  is  Governor  M.'s  son.     And   who 
is  this?     It  is  Secretary  W.'s  son.     This  is  an  excellent 
speaker,  who  is  he  ?     It  is  Judge  B.'s  son.     Lastly,  there 
steps  forth  upon  the  platform  a  pale-faced,  black-eyed, 
plain-dressed    youth ;    his    knees    gently  tremble  as  he 
stands  a  moment  a  mute  spectator  of  the  crowd,  and  a 
blush  mantles  his  blanched  cheek.     A  breathless  silence 
pervades  the  assembly,  as  they  mark  his  modest  mien, 
and  the  angelic  amplitude  of  his  forehead,  concealed,  in 
part,  by  careless  ringlets.     Presently  he  opens  his  golden 
mouth,  and  charms  the  audience  with  the  dulcet  melody 
of  his  voice,  the  harmony  of  his  periods,  and  the  majesty 
and  authority  of  his  thoughts ;  and  now  mark  how  the 
godlike  light  flashes  from  his  eyeballs;  how  the  respira- 
tion hurries;  how  the  veins  of  the  temple  swell;  and 
how  the  voice  rises  to  majestic  fullness,  as  he  bears  his 
audience  aloft  to  the  highest  regions  of  eloquence.     As 
he  takes  his  seat,  a  rustling  is  heard,  as  when  the  leaves 


184  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

of  the  forest  are  swept  by  the  breeze,  and  from  bench  to 
bench  goes  the  inquiry,  in  louder  and  still  louder  whis- 
pers. Who  is  that?  Presently  all  eyes  are  turned  to  a 
widow  in  that  corner  weeping  tears  of  joy.  The  band 
strikes  up  "Hail  Columbia,"  and  all  weep  with  her 
And  now  the  audience  are  dismissed,  mark  her  as  she 
trips  over  the  commons,  borne  up  on  the  right  and  on 
the  left  by  her  sons;  you  would  think  her  aged  feet 
were  winged.  And  now,  that  the  evening  shades  have 
gathered  around  her,  and  she  kneels,  in  her  humble  cot- 
tage, between  her  sons,  in  solemn  prayer,  what  think  you 
are  the  first  words  that  burst  from  her  grateful  lips? 
Why,  "  The  lines  have  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant  places, 
and  I  have  a  goodly  heritage." 

The  post  of  instructor  in  college  is,  by  no  means,  an 
enviable  one.  The  compensation,  small;  the  honors, 
after  death;  the  labors,  arduous  and  incessant.  I  know 
no  employment  more  heart-trying,  spirit-wasting,  health- 
destroying.  Were  all  students  amiable,  talented,  and 
pious,  they  would  reconcile  professors  to  their  lot;  but, 
alas !  in  this  land,  children  are  rarely  trained  by  parents 
in  the  way  that  they  should  go ;  still  we  welcome  them 
with  hope ;  we  spurn  not,  without  trial,  the  surly,  proud, 
self-willed  youth;  we  throw  around  him  arms  of  love, 
pour  into  his  ears  the  voice  of  entreaty,  and  bedew  his 
cheeks  with  the  tears  of  fraternal  sympathy;  we  read  to 
him  the  commandments  of  God,  preach  to  him  Jesus 
and  the  resurrection,  bear  his  name  to  the  throne  of 
grace,  and  often,  in  watches  of  the  night,  when  deep 
sleep  falleth  upon  man,  we  see  the  terrible  vision  of  his 
danger,  and  our  pillows  can  not  bear  up  our  aching  heads. 
Why,  then,  do  men  leave  the  word  of  God  to  serve  col- 
lege tables?  Men,  called  to  preach,  have  qualifications 
to  influence  mind  that  others  have  not,  and  surely  the 
highest  abilities  for  operating  upon  the  human  soul  are 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  tHfi 

needed  in  the  college.  I  have  no  fear  that  I  am  out  of 
my  path.  I  have  accepted  my  appointment  from  a  sol- 
emn conviction  of  duty,  not,  however,  arising  from  a 
sense  of  superior  qualifications  for  it,  but  from  the  im- 
possibility of  obtaining  any  other  incumbent.  I  expect 
to  retain  it  till  disease  materially  impairs  my  abilities,  or 
the  post  can  attract  superior  ones. 

Brethren,  in  behalf  of  myself  and  my  colleagues,  I 
«ay,  "  Pray  for  us."  Grentlemen  of  the  faculty,  suffer  a 
word  of  exhortation :  We  are  in  the  midst  of  death ; 
sickness  has  recently  reminded  us  of  our  frailty ;  let  us 
labor  while  the  day  lasts,  knowing  that  the  night  of 
death  is  approaching.  Grentlemen  of  the  Trustees,  we 
look  to  you  for  direction,  sympathy,  and  support. 

Young  gentlemen  of  the  institution,  second  our  efforts 
to  cultivate  your  minds,  your  manners,  and  your  hearts. 
Show  that  the  retreat  of  the  Muses  purifies,  humanizes, 
exalts,  and  leads  to  God.  80  shall  your  Alma  Mater  be 
like  an  angel  standing  in  the  sun — -radiating  long  streams 
of  mingled  earthly  and  heavenly  light  to  distant  points 
and  remote  ages. 


16 


186  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


(Bxittmts  in  $iil0S05%g. 

PHILOSOPHY,  in  its  widest  acceptation,  denotes  the 
sum  total  of  systematic  knowledge,  but  in  its  ordinary- 
use  is  limited  to  the  study  of  natural  objects.  The 
methods  adopted  in  its  pursuit  vary  according  to  the  de- 
gree of  mental  cultivation,  the  extent  of  knowledge,  and 
the  genius  of  the  people.  These  methods  are  greatly 
diversified  among  our  heterogeneous  population.  Let  us 
notice  the  extremes;  namely,  that  of  exclusive  observa- 
tion, and  that  of  exclusive  speculation :  the  former  is 
often  denominated  the  practical  philosophy,  the  latter 
the  speculative.  To  the  first  We  are  prone  in  the  morn- 
ing of  life.  Youth  is  the  period  to  see,  and  feel,  and 
leap;  to  interest  ourselves  with  particulars  rather  than 
generals — with  matter  rather  than  spirit — with  things 
rather  than  signs — with  diagrams  rather  than  symbols. 
This,  too,  is  the  philosophy  of  rude  ages.  A  nation's 
primitive  songs  are  addressed  not  to  the  reason,  but  lo 
the  imagination  and  the  heart;  and  a  people's  primitive 
religion  seems  to  be  reached  by  the  scaffolding  of  ex- 
ternal objects.  The  savage  contemplates  leading  truths 
through  visible  signs,  as  God  through  the  sun,  Prov- 
idence through  the  sacred  hawk,  or  the  resurrection 
through  Osiris  leaping  as  a  new-born  Orus  into  the  arms 
of  his  mother  Isis.  Hence  God  taught  man  at  first 
through  the  senses,  walking  visibly  and  talking  audibly 
in  the  green  walks  of  Eden ;  conversing  with  patriarchs 
beneath  the  shade  of  elms,  and  accepting  praise  in  the 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  187 

incense  of  smoking  altars :  lie  instructed  in  righteous- 
ness by  a  devouring  deluge,  and  in  the  doctrine  of  im- 
mortality by  an  ascending  prophet  in  a  chariot  of  fire. 
Even  when  he  gave  law  it  was  on  tangible  tables  and 
amidst  thunder  and  lightning.  The  same  thing  is  seen 
in  the  history  of  education.  A  nation  takes  her  early 
lessons  in  singing,  numbering  and  observing  the  skies; 
she  learns  not  to  analyze,  classify,  reason,  and  smooth  her 
speech  till  she  has  made  considerable  advances  to  ma- 
turity. This  is  the  philosophy  of  uncultivated  minds 
whose  education  and  worship  must,  as  a  general  thing, 
be  chiefly  by  forms,  and  colors,  and  sounds. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  discuss  this  subject  at  length, 
but  merely  to  point  out  some  of  the  errors  of  these  ex- 
tremes. 

And,  first,  that  of  the  practical  philosopher. 

He  is  in  danger  of  many  errors,  among  which  are  the 
following : 

1.  He  makes  observations  with  too  much  credulity. 
"I  saw,  I  heard,  I  felt,"  he  cries;  "can  my  senses  de- 
ceive me?"  It  is  possible  they  may.  "I  saw  the  jug- 
gler," says  the  child,  "fire  a  gold  watch  from  a  pistol, 
and,  after  shattering  it  to  fragments,  instantaneously 
restore  it  to  all  its  beauty  and  perfection ;"  but  you 
know  the  child  did  not  see  this.  Passiov,  has  its  influ- 
ence upon  perception. 

"  0  what  a  world  of  vile,  ill-favored  faults 
Looks  handsome  in  three  hundred  pounds  a  year !" 

So,  too,  imagination.  You  saw  a  ghost  as  you  came 
through  the  graveyard ;  you  could  not  be  deceived :  the 
countenance,  the  white  robe,  the  uplifted  hand,  were  all 
so  plain.  Did  you,  however,  expect  to  see  one?  If  so, 
your  fancy  may  have  dressed  a  stump  in  the  habiliments 
of  the  phantom.  So,  too,  with  the  prevailing  tone  of 
mind.     For  illustration  take  the  following  story  from  Ad- 


188  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

dison:  "*I  see,'  says  the  susceptible  young  lady,  as  she 
looks  at  the  moon  through  the  telescope,  'two  lovers  con- 
versing sweetly.'  'No/  says  the  parson,  as  he  puts  his 
eye  to  the  instrument,  'they  are  two  church  steeples  in- 
clining to  each  other.'  "  Our  conceptions,  as  well  as 
sensations,  may  mislead.  Sometimes  they  are  so  vivid  as 
to  pass  for  perceptions;  as  is  often  the  case  with  the 
artist  who  draws  an  absent  object  with  a  temporary  be- 
lief of  its  presence. 

2.  He  does  not  sufficiently  accumulate  facts  before  he 
draws  his  conclusion;  he  is  prone  to  think  that  an  ante- 
cedent and  a  consequent  stand  to  each  other  in  the  rela- 
tion of  cause  and  eflFect.  In  ancient  times  diseases  were 
accounted  for  by  the  aspects  of  the  stars.  So  in  our  own 
times,  when  a  comet  is  succeeded  by  war,  the  post  hoc 
is  frequently  taken  for  the  propter  hoc.  Allied  to  this  is 
another  error,  that  of  overlooking  where  there  are  several 
antecedents,  some  which  may  have  had  an  influence  in 
producing  the  result.  In  experiments  where  all  the 
causes  operating  are  cognizable  by  the  senses,  a  single 
experiment  is  sufficient  to  authorize  a  general  conclu- 
sion :  as  when  in  a  glass  retort  we  bring  an  oxyd  and  an 
acid  in  contact  and  produce  a  salt;  but  in  the  science  of 
mind,  of  meteorology,  of  medicine,  etc.,  where  a  thousand 
unobserved  causes  may  exert  an  influence,  we  need  a 
large  accumulation  of  facts  to  draw  a  general  principle. 
In  cases  where  there  are  many  causes  operating  to  pro- 
duce a  result,  we  may  assign  to  some  one  an  undue  share 
of  influence.  Even  where  there  is  but  a  single  remedy 
we  may  err  in  considering  it  a  cause.  If  one  should  ap- 
ply a  "poor  man's  plaster"  to  a  gouty  extremity,  and 
find  relief,  ten  to  one  he  will  say,  "  'Poor  man's  plaster* 
cured  me  of  gout;  therefore,  it  will  cure  every  body  else 
of  gout."  Suppose  we  admit  the  premises,  we  must  not 
hastily  accept  the  conclusion.     DiflFerent  human  systems 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  189 

are  not  like  different  pieces  of  the  same  metal,  nor  the  same 
system  at  different  times.  He  who  in  health  might  bear  a 
bowl  of  champagne,  might,  when  half  starved,  be  intox- 
icated by  the  same  quantity  of  chicken  broth.  So  with 
the  human  mind.  Bishop  Watson  compares  the  geologist 
to  a  man  seated  on  an  elephant,  and  determining  the 
whole  organism  of  the  animal,  and  all  its  various  functions, 
from  a  critical  examination  of  the  skin.  We  have  reason 
to  believe  that  the  Bishop  was  hardly  just  to  the  geolo- 
gist; but  what  would  he  think  of  certain  philosophers 
of  our  day,  who  determine  all  the  inclinations,  the  tem- 
pers, the  capacities — who  even  gauge  the  faith,  elimi- 
nate the  character,  and  predict  the  fortunes  of  an  im- 
mortal man,  by  a  slight  inspection  of  only  the  top  of  his 
head? 

3.  A  third  error  of  this  philosopher  is  this — he  does 
not  sufficiently  compare  facts  with  similar  facts.  It  may 
happen  that  a  Gipsey  correctly  describes  the  past  and 
predicts  the  future  fortunes  of  a  maid.  Aided,  as  such 
a  one  often  is,  by  previous  information,  answcs  to  lead- 
ing questions,  and  the  human  countenances  around  her, 
it  were  strange  if  she  did  not  sometimes  make  shrewd 
guesses.  But  it  frequently  happens  that  in  attempting 
to  do  so  she  makes  woeful  blunders.  How  natural  to 
seize  and  magnify  the  correct  guesses,  while  we  overlook 
the  incorrect  ones!  Wonder  excites  and  warms  the 
mind,  making  it  easily  impressible;  the  truthful  sug- 
gestions exciting  wonder  sink  deep,  while  those  which 
are  not  so,  and,  because  according  to  our  expectation,  are 
received  in  a  cool  state  of  mind,  make  but  little  impres- 
sion. Hence  the  celebrity  of  quacks  and  the  success  of 
nostrums,  both  physical  and  metaphysical,  religious  and 
political.  If  we  compared  failures  with  cures,  alas  for 
them! 

Some  are  perverse  enough  to  collect  facts  on  one  side 


190  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS, 

of  a  question  only.  A  frail  old  gentleman  in  Kentucky 
contracted  a  great  prejudice  against  the  Baptist  Church, 
many  of  whose  ministers  he  had  encountered  in  pro- 
tracted, and  not  very  kind  controversy.  Determined  to 
prove  that  Baptists  were  a  bad  people,  he  procured  a 
large  blank  book,  and  had  it  labeled,  "Scandalous  Acts 
of  the  Baptists;"  and  whenever  he  heard  of  anything 
mean  connected  with  the  people  of  that  persuasion — and 
he  was  not  slow  of  heart  to  believe — he  put  it  down  in 
his  record.  Of  course,  he  soon  filled  it,  and  might  just 
as  soon  have  filled  it  with  the  scandalous  acts  of  the 
Methodists  by  a  similar  process.  Thus  arises  much  of 
our  sectarian  prejudice. 

Many  of  our  popular  superstitions  are  sustained  in  the 
same  way.  A  man,  learning  that  Friday  is  an  unlucky 
day,  marks  every  instance  of  ill  luck  which  he  observes 
on  that  day,  and  soon  finds  them  legion;  and  he  can  not 
be  persuaded  to  commence  a  house,  an  oration,  or  a  poem 
on  that  day,  and,  perhaps,  looks  with  suspicion  upon 
every  friend  to  whom  he  is  introduced,  and  prosecutes 
with  hesitancy  and  inefi&ciency  every  enterprise,  however 
good,  which  Providence  may  thrust  upon  him  on  a  Fri- 
day. If  he  have  been  so  imprudent  as  to  have  selected 
Friday  for  his  birthday,  his  life  is  one  constant  distress. 
The  proper  cure  for  such  a  case  is  to  assert  stoutly  that 
Friday  is  a  lucky  day,  and  set  the  mind  on  collecting 
the  instances  of  good  fortune — for  example,  the  discovery 
of  America — that  have  happened  on  that  day.  This  is  a 
counter  fallacy.  In  each  case  there  is  a  false  premise 
assumed;  namely,  that  the  cases,  whether  of  good  or 
bad  fortune,  that  have  happened  on  such  and  such  a 
Friday,  are  likely  to  happen  on  all  Fridays. 

Innumerable  are  the  instances  of  hasty  induction  in 
this  age,  which  moves  with  railroad  speed.  Truth  is  not 
to  be  obtained  in  a  hurry.     I  grant  that  accident  some- 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  191 

times  grasps  it  suddenly,  as  the  reaper  cuts  the  grain; 
but  it  is  only  in  the  field  where  philosophy  has  plowed, 
and  planted,  and  waited  for  the  precious  fruit,  and  had 
long  patience  for  it  till  it  received  the  early  and  the 
latter  rain.  But  most  persons  are  impatient ;  they  rush 
to  conclusions,  and  often  rest  in  such  as  are  unsatisfac- 
toiy  rather  than  endure  the  pain  of  suspense.  This  is 
especially  the  case  with  such  as  have  never  been  trained 
to  patient,  consecutive,  fatiguing  thought.  It  usually 
belongs  to  one  who  has  habituated  himself  to  "  hasten 
slowly" — who  has  learned  to  labor  and  travail  in  spirit, 
to  detect ^rror  under  its  Protean  hues,  thread  argumenta- 
tive labyrinths,  resist  moral  hinderances,  and  lead  captive 
the  truth. 

4.  Another  error  consists  in  not  comparing  facts  with 
principles  which  throw  light  upon  them.  For  example  : 
here  is  one  put  to  sleep  by  a  series  of  passes,  and  in  her 
somnambulistic  state  she  experiences  strange  psychological 
phenomena,  and  accomplishes  wonderful  feats;  at  once 
the  practical  philosopher  is  a  believer  in  "mesmerism, 
clairvoyance,  spirit  raps,  table  turning,  etc."  He  has 
seen  with  his  eyes;  he  has  heard  with  his  ears;  and 
having  seen  and  heard  so  and  so,  he  is  prepared  to  believe 
what  others  have  seen  and  heard  in  like  manner.  But 
are  there  not  certain  a  priori  reasons  why  the  alleged 
facts  should  be  doubted  ?  The  love  of  the  marvelous  is 
strong,  and  under  its  influence  the  mind  is  predisposed  to 
deception;  it  should,  therefore,  be  on  its  guard  against 
deception,  falsehood,  exaggeration,  false  perception,  col- 
lusion, and  legerdemain.  Again :  are  there  not  certain 
well-settled  principles  concerning  human  responsibility 
which  should  be  considered  in  examining  such  phenom- 
ena as  those  referred  to  ? 

There  is  scarcely  any  thing  so  absurd  and  unfounded 
as  not  to  have  been  at  some  period  believed.     Anciently 


192  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

diseases  were  cured  by  music.  Democritus,  for  example, 
affirms  that  many  diseases  may  be  cured  by  the  flute 
•when  properly  played,  though  he  does  not  tell  us  how  to 
play  it.  Marianus  Capellus  assures  us  that  fevers  may 
be  cured  by  songs,  though  he  puts  in  a  saving  clause, 
that  the  songs  must  be  appropriate.  Asclepiades  is 
more  definite ;  he  informs  us  that  rheumatism  is  to  be 
cured  by  the  trumpet,  and  that  we  must  continue  blow- 
ing it  till  the  fibers  begiu  to  palpitate.  This  doctrine, 
amusing  as  it  is,  prevails  to  a  great  extent  to  this  day 
and  in  this  country,  though  in  a  modified  form — the  form 
of  a  charm — a  word  the  etymology  of  which  indicates 
the  origin  of  the  superstition  it  denotes.  In  Chili  the 
physicians,  according  to  Zimmerman,  drive  away  diseases 
by  blowing  around  the  beds  of  their  patients;  and  as 
they  teach  that  physic  consists  wholly  in  this  "wind,  any 
one  may  graduate  in  medicine  who  has  learned  how  to 
blow.  The  same  practice  is  almost  universal  in  this 
country,  although  it  is  chiefly  confined  to  moral  and 
political  maladies. 

The  golden  pill  wrought  wonders  all  over  England  till 
it  was  found  to  consist  of  bread.  Men  once  supposed 
that  mere  external  contact  with  a  medicine  through 
which  an  electrical  current  had  passed  was  sufficient 
to  produce  its  specific  efi"ects.  They  put  up  their  rem- 
edies in  electrified  vials,  and  put  those  vials  in  their 
pockets,  and  were  ready  to  depose  that  castor  oil 
thus  applied  through  the  vest  was  purgative,  opium  stu- 
pefying, etc. 

Witchcraft  was  once  as  firmly  believed  in,  and  that, 
too,  upon  the  allegation  of  facts,  as  that  the  sun  shines. 
We  have  had  witches  even  in  our  own  state,  though  I 
suppose  we  have  none  now,  for  in  my  youth  I  sold  asa- 
fcetida  enough  for  that  purpose  to  drive  them  all  out. 
It  were  easy  to  multiply  oases  of  this  kind,  but  enough 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  193 

lias  been  said  to  put  us,  when  we  examine  facts,  on  our 
guard  against  the  infirmities  of  our  nature. 

There  are  certain  well-established   laws,  both  in  the 
physical  and  moral  world,  which  should  be  kept  in  view 
in  our  examinations  of  natural  and  mental  phenomena : 
the  law  of  gravitation  for  instance.     We  should  receive 
facts  which  are  inconsistent  with  it  with  very  great  hes- 
itancy.    The  law  of  love  is  as  well  settled  in  the  moral 
world  as  the  law  of  gravitation  in  the  natural.     How 
striking  the  answer  of  a  certain  great  reformer  to  the  in- 
quiring  messengers   of  another:    ''Go   show   John   the 
things  which  ye  do   hear  and  see :    the    blind    receive 
their  sight,  and  the  lame  walk,  the  lepers  are  cleansed, 
and  the  deaf  hear,  the  dead  are  raised  up,  and  the  poor 
have  the  Gospel  preached  to  them."     If  God  is  love,  and 
the  great  law  of  the  universe  is  love,  then  labors  of  love 
are  the  appropriate  works  of  a  reformer,  and  create  a  pre- 
sumption in  his  favor.     Equally  clear  is  the  principle, 
that  each  man  is  a  separate  being,  destined  to  see  with 
his  own  eyes,  and  blaspheme   and   pray  with  his   own 
tongue,  and  to  stand  up  and  answer  for  himself  amid  the 
fires  of  the  final  day.     I  am  aware  that  we  sometimes  in 
this  day  meet  with  things  that  are  said  to  come  down 
from  the  other  world ;  and  in  reference  to  these  it  may 
be  supposed  that  we  have  no  principles  in  the  light  of 
which  to  judge  them.     I  am  not  sure  of  that;  it  is  fair 
to  presume  that  other  worlds  are  subject  to  the  same 
general  laws  as  this.     It  is  not  probable,  if  a  man  gets 
into  paradise,  that  he  will  desire  to  run  about  the  earth, 
upsetting  tables;  and  if  he  should  get  into  another  place 
not  quite  so  comfortable,  it  is  not  likely  that  he  will  be 
permitted  to  do  so.     Again :  if  there  be  any  thing  well 
settled  in  heaven  or  earth,  it  is  the  law  of  progress — a 
law  not  limited  to  democracy,  but  affecting  all  things, 
physical  and  metaphysical;  despite  all  counter  currents, 

17 


194  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  world  moves  onward.  Sure  as  a  great  good  man  has 
a  future,  will  that  future  be  to  him  an  advance.  If, 
therefore,  he  send  messages  from  the  skies  which  prove 
him  to  be  a  greater  fool  than  he  was  on  earth,  we  may 
well  question  the  accuracy  of  the  telegraph  which  brings 
them  down.  I  am  aware  that  facts  ought  to  be. received 
in  spite  of  any  hypothesis  to  the  contrary  or  of  our  in- 
ability to  account  for  them.  I  know  that  facts  may 
occur  above  and  different  from  what  we  have  ever  before 
experienced ;  that  apparent  exceptions  to  laws  may,  when 
properly  understood,  be  examples  of  them;  that  facts 
may  occur  which  result  from  general  laws  not  yet  under- 
stood ;  that  they  may  occur  in  violation  of  laws  that  are 
understood ;  but  in  the  last  case  we  must  surely  suppose 
that  there  will  be  sufficient  notice  given,  a  suitable 
preparation  made,  and  an  end  accomplished  sufficiently 
important  to  justify  a  departure  from  them.  Let  us,  be- 
fore we  bow  to  a  fact,  be  sure  it  is  a  fact.  I  would  not 
discourage  observation,  experiment,  and  rational  belief; 
but  I  would  not  have  you  discourage  caution,  reflection, 
and  rational  doubt.  I  would  not  becloud  the  field  of 
physical  truth ;  nor  would  I  have  you  darken  the  region 
of  intellectual  and  moral  truth. 

In  regard  to  reported  facts,  our  practical  philosopher 
is  prone  to  receive  testimony  without  sufficient  examina- 
tion and  scrutiny.  He  should  ask.  Is  it  a  fact  or  a 
judgment  to  which  the  witness  testifies  ?  When  a  man 
testifies  that  he  heard  spirit  raps,  he  is  not  a  witness — he 
gives  an  inference.  Is  his  statement  full,  or  are  im- 
portant facts  omitted?  Does  he  bear  witness  to  a  con- 
nection between  facts  when  he  should  testify  to  an 
arrangement  only?  Does  he  extenuate,  exaggerate,  dis- 
guise, or  modify  facts  or  mingle  opinions  with  them? 
There  are  certain  principles,  too,  which  are  to  be  borne 
in  mind  in  examining  testimony.     There  is  a  particular 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  195 

state  of  mind  necessary  to  enable  a  man  to  observe  facts. 
Let  us  inquire  who  the  witness  is;  what  has  been  the 
training  of  his  mind  ?  Nor  must  his  condition  or  char- 
acter be  overlooked.  Where  does  he  live  ?  What  has 
he  been  doing?  Is  he  an  inquirer  or  a  convert?  Is  his 
testimony  designed  or  incidental,  separate  or  concurrent, 
inconsistent  or  harmonious  ?  Is  he  an  original  or  a  sec- 
ond-hand witness  ?  Does  he  expect  profit,  or  flattery,  or 
renown  from  his  testimony?  What  is  the  influence  of 
his  facts  upon  himself?  Do  they  tend  to  make  his  con- 
science easy,  to  break  down  moral  restraint,  to  overthrow 
principles  to  which  his  heart  entertains  a  ferocious 
hatred,  and  to  facilitate  his  progress  in  a  path  to  which 
his  steps  are  already  inclined  ?  What  wonder  if  such 
facts  should  have  free  course  and  be  glorified  in  a  world 
which  is  corrupt  and  full  of  violence !  Nor  should  a 
man  fail  to  examine  himself  as  well  as  his  witness.  If 
the  statements  tend  to  promote  his  pleasures  or  his  inter- 
ests, to  strengthen  his  appetites  or  habits,  to  foster  his 
prejudices  or  passions,  he  is  hardly  competent  to  determ- 
ine the  value  of  the  testimony  which  supports  them. 
If  -he  be  not  on  his  guard,  his  will  may  rush  him  forward 
to  belief  as  with  the  power  of  the  tempest.  Nor  should 
he  fail  to  examine  the  character  and  condition  of  the 
community  in  which  the  statements  are  believed.  The 
human  mind  is  prone  to  extremes.  Is  it  not  true  that 
sooner  or  later  indifi"erence  succeeds  to  excitement, 
credulity  to  skepticism,  empiricism  to  dogmatism,  trans- 
cendentalism to  sensualism,  an  era  of  reckless  revolution 
to  one  of  iron  despotism,  a  fashion  of  allegorizing  to  a 
fashion  of  literalism  ?  He  who  does  not  study  the  relation 
of  his  country  and  times  to  preceding  ones,  knows  not 
the  prevailing  fashions  of  mind,  and  is  very  liable  to  be 
misled.  We  are  now,  for  example,  suff'ering  a  reaction : 
in    philosophy,    from    scholasticism ;    in    medicine,   from 


196  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

dogmatism ;  in  religion,  from  enthusiasm  within  the 
Church  and  materialism  without  it.  He  only  who  bears 
this  in  mind  is  prepared  to  examine  the  vagaries  of  the 
country,  and  the  statements  which  receive  currency 
among  its  thoughtless  masses.  Nor  should  we  forget  to 
inquire  whether  there  is  any  counter  testimony.  I  do 
not  mean  negative  testimony.  I  do  not  sympathize  with 
the  Irishman  who  complained  that  he  was  not  acquitted, 
though  only  two  witnesses  testified  that  they  saw  him 
steal  the  ax,  while  twenty  swore  that  they  did  not  see 
him.  But  I  would  ask  whet^aer  there  is  not  testimony 
which  disproves  that  which  has  been  stated  ? 

5.  He  does  not  classify  or  generalize;  he  cares  but  little 
about  species  or  genera ;  his  business  is  with  facts  only, 
which  he  is  content  to  preserve  and  recall  by  arbitrary 
associations.  Is  he  an  agriculturist?  He  is  concerned 
only  with  his  own  soil  and  the  modes  by  which  it  may  be 
rendered  more  productive — what  cares  he  to  what  class  it 
belongs  ?  Is  he  a  physician  ?  He  seeks  not  to  reduce 
diseases  and  remedies  to  their  classes  and  orders,  or  bod- 
ily constitutions  to  temperaments;  so  he  combat  the 
symptoms  of  disease  as  they  arise,  he  is  content.  Is  he 
a  metaphysician  ?  He  studies  seriatim  the  chafaeters 
that  come  under  his  notice,  without  undertaking  to  ana- 
lyze them,  or  trace  them  to  leading  principles  of  action. 
Is  he  a  student  ?     He  obtains  his  knowledge  ad  rem. 

Thus  far  we  have  glanced  at  errors  of  investigation; 
the  same  philosopher  may  commit  errors  of  reasoning 
also: 

1.  He  does  not  syllogize.  True,  a  philosopher  of  this 
kind  is  usually  a  great  reasoner;  but  then  he  is  not 
much  of  a  logician.  He  thinks,  with  Locke,  that  God 
did  not  make  him  a  more  two-legged  animal,  and  leave  it 
to  Aristotle  to  make  him  rational ;  and,  therefore,  he 
gives  himself  no  trouble  about  Aristotle,   and  contents 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  197 

himself  with  a  logic  which  he  got  as  Dogberry  got  his 
reading  and  writing — by  nature.  And  if  he  can  not 
bring  his  adversaries  to  terms  in  any  other  way,  he  knows 
he  can  resort  to  the  ad  hominem,  and  take  the  ayes  and 
noes,  as  they  do  in  Congress  sometimes. 

There  are  three  steps  in  making  logic  easy,  and  we 
have  reached  the  third.  The  first  was  when  the  good 
mother  of  science,  fearing  the  influence  of  free  discus- 
sion, decreed  that  all  decisions  should  be  according  to 
Aristotle,  and  that  all  disputants  should  defend  him, 
right  or  wrong,  under  a  penalty  of  five  shillings.  In 
those  days,  when  a  pair  of  combatants  were  called  on  for 
a  public  exercise,  they  purchased  a  set  of  syllogisms, 
which  were  then  sold  like  fish,  by  the  string,  and  de- 
scended, like  silver  shoe-buckles,  from  generation  to  gen- 
eration. These  were  drawn  out  from  the  caps  of  oppo- 
nent and  respondent  respectively  as  the  moderator  paced 
between  them,  and  settled  the  controversy  in  favor  of  the 
respondent  when  the  strings  were  both  exhausted.  Dis- 
putation was  rendered  more  easy  by  Raymond  Lully,  who 
invented  a  machine  to  reason  by  hand ;  so  that  you  had 
only  to  turn,  secundem  artem,  the  circles,  on  the  borders 
of  whi"ch  were  inscribed  the  questions,  subjects,  and  pre- 
dicaments, as  a  woman  turns  her  coffee-mill,  to  work  out 
any  conclusion  you  required.  But  of  all  reasoning  that 
of  our  matter-of-fact  philosophy,  which  divorces  the  con- 
nection heretofore  subsisting  between  premiss  and  con- 
clusion, and  reaches  its  conclusions  over  a  mug  of  beer 
or  a  quid  of  cavendish,  as  it  were  atmospherically,  is  the 
most  easy.  Endless  are  the  instances  of  invalid  reason- 
ing which  are  current  among  us.  I  can  not  go  through 
the  table  of  popular  fallacies,  but  only  give  a  specimen. 
In  all  reasoning  we  compare  two  extremes  with  the  same 
third.  If  this  third  be  ambiguous,  or  used  in  diff"erent 
degrees  of  extension,  or  if  something  be  understood  in 


198  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

connection  with  it  in  one  premiss  which  was  not  in  the 
other,  it  may  chance  that  the  extremes,  not  being  com- 
pared with  the  same  third,  are  not  compared  with  each 
other.  How  numerous  are  the  ambiguous  words !  how 
rare  such  as  are  not  so !  If  I  say,  "  I  am  a  Democrat," 
I  may  mean  that  I  am  in  favor  of  the  sovereignty  of  the 
people;  but  you  may  suppose  I  use  the  term  in  the  tem- 
porary and  local  sense,  and,  cataloguing  all  the  improper 
acts  which  have  been  chargeable  upon  the  political  party 
bearing  that  name,  since  the  days  of  Jefferson,  may  seek 
to  hold  me  responsible  for  many  things  which  I  heartily  re- 
pudiate. So  if  I  deny  that  I  am  a  Democrat,  I  may  mean 
that  I  do  not  act  with  a  certain  political  party;  you  may 
take  the  term  in  its  etymological  sense,  and  charge  me 
with  favoring  monarchy  or  aristocracy.  If  I  say  I  am  an 
abolitionist,  I  may  mean  that  I  desire  the  liberation  of  the 
oppressed — this  is  the  proper  sense  of  the  word — ^you  may 
understand  it  as  the  rallying  cry  of  a  political  party,  and 
charge  me  with  advocating  rebellion,  dissolution  of  the 
Union,  insurrection  of  the  slaves — in  short,  all  the  mad- 
ness which  the  maddest  of  certain  partisans  have  ever 
exhibited.  If,  using  the  term  in  its  technical  or  tempo- 
rary sense,  I  deny  that  I  am  an  abolitionist,  then  you, 
assuming  that  I  use  it  in  the  former  sense,  may  accuse 
me  with  favoring  tyranny,  oppression,  and  the  most  hei- 
nous form  of  cruelty.  So  I  am  served  like  the  witch 
that  was  tried  by  water :  if  she  would  be  judged  inno- 
cent, she  must  drown;  and  if  she  did  not  drown,  sha 
must  be  burned.  This  may  seem  too  obviously  errone 
ous  to  mislead,  and  yet,  perhaps,  some  of  the  best  men, 
in  their  solitary  reasoning,  are  thus  confused.  How  oth 
erwise  can  we  account  for  the  fact  that  antagonistic  poli 
ticians  are  so  kind  to  each  other  in  the  parlor  and  the 
Church,  and  yet  when  on  the  political  arena  are  so  fierce 
and  vengeful  ? 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  199 

Often  men  mistake  an  analogy  for  a  resemblance.  An 
argument  founded  on  resemblance  is  imperfect^,  one 
founded  on  analogy  is  much  less  so;  for  analogy  is  a 
resemblance  of  ratios.  Between  the  stomach  of  a  swine 
and  the  stomach  of  a  man  there  is  but  little  resemblance, 
but  there  is  an  analogy.  It  will  not  do  to  argue,  then, 
that  the  effect  of  a  remedy  upon  the  latter  will  be  the 
same  as  its  effect  upon  the  former;  yet  some  have  so 
reasoned.  There  is  an  article  called  antimony — the  word 
is '  a  corruption  of  anti-monk,  and  thus  it  was  at  first  ap- 
plied. Some  of  the  article  in  the  form  of  powder  was 
thrown  from  the  door  of  a  monastery  of  German  Bene- 
dictine monks,  in  which  Basil  Valentine  was  experiment- 
ing upon  metals  occasionally.  The  hogs  coming  up  to 
the  door  to  eat  of  the  offal,  swallowed  portions  of  the 
powder  with  it.  Basil  thought  he  perceived  in  the  ani- 
mals an  increased  tendency  to  fatten,  and  attributed  it  to 
the  black  powder  scattered  at  the  door.  Subsequent  ex- 
periments confirmed  this  opinion.  Then  thus  he  rea- 
soned, as  the  stomach  of  a  hog  to  a  hog,  so  the  stomach 
of  a  man  to  a  man ;  then  as  this  black  powder  is  to  the 
hog  stomach,  so  will  it  be  to  the  human  stomach.  Forth- 
with he  mingles  it  with  the  food  of  his  brother  monks, 
expecting  that  it  would  make  them  as  it  had  made  the 
pigs,  fat,  sleek,  and  well-favored;  but,  lo !  it  killed  them: 
it  proved  to  be  pro-hog,  but  anti-monk. 

Precisely  the  same  kind  of  reasoning  seems  to  have 
been  employed  by  Mr.  Owen.  He  lays  down  twelve  laws 
of  philosophy:  1.  That  man  did  not  create  himself,  and 
at  birth  was  ignorant  of  his  organization.  2.  That  no 
two  infants  possess  the  same  organization.  3.  That  or- 
ganization and  circumstances  mold  the  individual.  4. 
That  no  individual  chooses  his  time  or  place  of  birth. 
5.  That  each  may  receive  true  or  false  notions  according 
to  impressions.     6.  That  he  must  believe  according  to 


200  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

his  strongest  impressions.  7.  That  he  must  like  agreea- 
ble sensations  and  dislike  disagreeable  ones.  8.  That 
agreeable  sensations,  when  protracted,  or  too  rapidly 
changed,  become  painful.  9.  That  great  progress  de- 
pends upon  due  exercise  and  culture.  10.  That  the 
worst  man  is  produced  by  the  worst  bodily  organization 
and  circumstances.  11.  That  the  medium  man  is  pro- 
duced by  medium  organization  and  circumstances.  12. 
That  the  best  man  is  the  product  of  the  best  organs  and 
circumstances.  From  these  laws  it  results  that  to  perfect 
man  we  must  improve  his  physical  organization ;  give 
him  food,  water,  and  shelter  in  proper  quantity  and  qual- 
ity, and  at  regular  and  suitable  intervals ;  and  provide 
him  with  sufficient  fresh  air,  sunlight,  and  clothing;  his 
impressions,  then,  being  agreeable,  he  will  be  happy  in 
himself,  and  agreeable  to  all  around  him;  and  being 
thus  happy,  he  will  be  virtuous.  Well,  this  is  all  appli- 
cable to  swine,  and  as  a  hog  philosophy  it  is  perfect; 
but  when  you  proceed  by  analogy  from  hog  to  man  you 
find  it  won't  work.  Mr.  Owen  tried  it,  and  found  it  was 
pro-hog,  but  anti-man;  that,  however  comfortably  he  pro- 
vided for  his  fellows,  they  would  not  lie  down  and  bo 
easy.  True,  man  is  an  animal ;  but  he  is  something 
more.  He  is  indebted  to  external  impressions,  but  not 
altogether.  He  has  springs  within  him  of  which  infe- 
rior creatures  know  nothing;  and  educate  him  as  you 
may,  his  fears  and  aspirations  will  burst  out,  and  even 
amid  your  sneers  build  altars  and  stain  them  with  the 
blood  of  victims.  Man,  I  know,  is  indebted  to  his  organ- 
ization ;  but  in  the  most  perfect  body  the  heart  may  be 
out  of  tune,  and,  however  its  chords  may  be  swept,  har- 
mony may  not  issue  from  its  strings.  It  is  a  most  merci- 
ful circumstance  that  our  erroneous  reasoning  is  often 
neutralized. 

If  there  is  so  much  fallacious  reasoning,  how  happens 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  201 

it  that  the  world  is  not  turned  upside  down  ?  Men  act  bet- 
ter than  they  judge,  and  judge  better  than  they  reason. 
An  Antinomian  may  be  syllogistically  bound  to  sin,  and 
yet  be  as  fearful  of  sinning  as  his  Pelagian  neighbor.  A 
Catholic  may  be  under  syllogistic  necessity  to  persecute 
even  to  death,  and  yet  be  as  harmless  as  a  Protestant. 
An  infidel  may  be  under  logical  bonds  to  liberality,  and 
yet  be  as  shameful  a  bigot  as  bloody  Mary.  Endless  are 
the  loop-holes  of  our  logic.  I  may  be  bound  by  my  prin- 
ciples to  go  at  the  risk  of  life  and  preach  emancipation 
to  the  slaveholder ;  but  it  is  easy  for  me  to  point  to  St. 
Paul  getting  over  the  walls  of  Damascus  in  a  basket. 

Sometimes  our  consciousness  corrects  us.  Some  prove 
that  men  are  not  accountable  thus:  Our  volitions  result 
from  our  motives;  our  motives  from  our  circumstances 
and  propensities ;  and  inasmuch  as  we  had  no  agency  in 
the  arrangement  of  the  former  or  the  creation  of  the 
latter,  we  are  neither  free  nor  accountable.  Without 
refuting  the  reasoning,  men  reject  the  conclusion.  In- 
terrogate the  heart:  are  you  like  the  mill-wheel  that 
unconsciously  yields  to  the  stream  ?  or  are  you  self-mov- 
ing and  intelligent — able  to  comprehend  the  laws  which 
govern  you  and  adjust  your  relations  to  them  ?  Though 
you  dismiss  remorse,  are  there  not  furies  that  sometimes 
rattle  through  the  unswept  hearth,  and  rake  up  the  cov- 
ered fires  of  the  conscience  ?  Do  you  deny  ?  Then  I 
point  to  the  thighs  that  have  been  loosened  for  sin,  and 
the  knees  that  have  smitten  each  other  for  iniquity;  I 
turn  to  the  winds  that  have  borne  upon  their  wings  your 
utterances  of  praise  or  blame,  your  accusations  of  self,  and 
your  secret  prayers  for  mercy;  I  point  to  the  laws  and 
prisons  which  embody  the  feelings  of  the  national  heart. 
Do  you  say  all  this  is  the  result  of  wrong  education;  the 
appeal  is  not  to  the  head,  but  to  the  heart — the  universal 
heart?     Sophism  may  make  men  stoics;   but   the  eyea 


202  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

will  weep,  the  knees  will  tremble,  conscience  will  make 
cowards  of  us  all. 

Sometimes  instinct  saves  us  from  falling  into  the  pit 
which  fallacious  reasoning  digs  for  us.  Hume  demon- 
strated that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  spirit,  and  Berkely 
that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  matter;  but  the  world  has 
been  jogging  along  just  as  well  ever  since  as  though  it 
had  both  matter  and  spirit  left. 

But  the  most  usual  corrective  of  fallacy  is  common 
sense;  for  although  some  say  that  there  is  no  common 
sense,  I  shall  assume  that  there  is  a  little  left.  Have  you 
never  thought  it  wonderful  that  clergymen  whose  creeds 
are  contradictories,  should  form  Christian  characters  in 
perfect  harmony  and  Christian  lives  of  perfect  similarity? 
How  is  it  that  eminent  physicians  of  contradictory  medi- 
cal doctrines,  should  have  about  the  same  number  of 
cures  and  recoveries  among  their  patients?  Men  will 
never  surrender  either  a  primary  truth  or  a  practical 
principle  because  they  can  not  construct  a  syllogism  or 
detect  a  fallacy  in  a  sophism.  Go  to  the  wagoner  driving 
his  team  to  market,  and  give  him  the  argument  of  Dio- 
dorus,  "  If  any  body  be  moved,  it  is  either  moved  in  a 
place  where  it  is  or  a  place  where  it  is  not ;  but  it  is  not 
moved  in  the  place  where  it  is,  for  where  it  is  it  remains ; 
nor  is  it  moved  in  a  place  where  it  is  not,  for  nothing 
can  either  act  or  suffer  where  it  is  not;  therefore,  there 
is  no  such  thing  as  motion."  Do  you  think  the  poor 
man  would  unhitch  his  horses  and  sit  down  in  despair  f 
No ;  a  legion  of  arguing  angels  could  not  persuade  him 
that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  motion  when  he  cracks  his 
whip  and  sees  the  wheels  go  round. 

Notwithstanding  all  these  checks  which  Providence 
has  placed  upon  fallacious  reasoning,  it  is  still  true'  that 
there  are  innumerable  evils  resulting  from  it,  especially 
among  the  young  and  inexperienced.     And  there  is  a 


i 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  203 

way  whereby  men  may  be  taught  to  reason  correctly  and 
verify  their  conclusions. 

We  have  glanced  at  errors  in  investigation  and  errors 
in  reasoning ;  there  are  other  errors  of  this  practical  phi- 
losophy. It  overlooks  the  ideal ;  it  chains  the  eagle  of 
the  speculative  understanding  j  it  is  an  earthly,  plod- 
ding, craven,  careworn  philosophy;  it  never  moves 
through  the  grove  with  the  mien  and  majesty  of  an 
angel;  it  is  never  transfigured  upon  the  mountain;  it 
never  throws  aside  its  staff  and  mantle  to  ascend  the 
heavens ;  it  never  darkens  the  earth  by  opening  upon  us 
the  excessive  brightness  of  the  skies ;  it  never  bedews 
us  with  a  heavenly  baptism,  nor  breathes  into  us  a  kingly 
spirit;  it  has  no  conception  of  the  process  by  which 
Newton  predicted  the  combustible  element  of  water  from 
its  refrangibility,  or  by  which  Copernicus,  flying  through 
the  midst  of  heaven,  like  an  angel  with  a  trumpet,  mar- 
shaled into  order  and  harmony  the  phenomena  of  the 
starry  hosts,  or  of  the  steps  by  which  a  greater  than  he 
ascended  from  the  falling  apple  to  the  law  of  the  celes- 
tial spaces.  It  has  a  lamp  to  guide  our  feet  through  the 
outer  world,  but  none  to  light  our  way  to  the  inward;  it 
throws  its  flickering  rays  over  the  present  and  the  past, 
but  projects  no  long  and  spreading  sunbeams  over  the 
distant  and  glorious  future ;  it  concerns  itself  with  forms, 
but  sees  not  the  essence;  it  busies  itself  with  effects 
rather  than  causes ;  and  when  its  attention  is  attracted 
upward  along  the  links  of  causation,  it  is  unable  to  gaze 
high  enough  to  see  the  staple  that  holds  up  or  the  power 
that  electrifies  the  chain :  hence  it  has  nothing  eternal, 
immortal,  invisible,  to  hold  to  when  it  feels  the  temporal 
and  the  visible  crumbling  about  it;  it  is  for  the  most 
part  passive  and  imitative,  and  when  active  it  merely 
plucks  and  dries,  and  analyzes  the  productions  of  nature 
without  drinking  long  draughts  from  her  perennial  fount- 


204  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ains  of  thought  and  feeling.  It  is  the  philosophy  of 
experience — without  intuition  or  faith,  of  it  we  may  say, 
"Dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  thou  shalt  return." 
Hence,  it  lacks  inspiration,  energy,  originality;  it  turns 
not  the  marhle  into  man,  nor  the  canvas  into  history,  nor 
the  earth  into  a  temple,  nor  the  air  into  the  whispers  of 
guardian  angels,  nor  the  page  into  immortal  song;  it 
leads  out  no  singing  martyrs  to  the  baptism  of  blood  or 
the  death  of  fire.  It  illuminates,  but  it  obscures,  too. 
We  may  apply  to  it  the  words  of  one  of  Plato's  disciples : 
''The  sense  of  man  carries  a  resemblance  to  the  sun, 
which  as  we  see  openeth  and  revealeth  all  the  terrestrial 
globe;  so  doth  the  sense  discover  natural  things,  but  it 
darkeneth  and  shutteth  up  divine."  It  eschews  all  that 
is  not  eminently  practical.     It  sings  with  Pope, 

"  For  forms  of  government  let  fools  contest ; 
Whatever  is  best  administered  is  best. 
For  modes  of  faith  let  graceless  bigots  fight, 
His  can't  be  wrong  whose  life  is  in  the  right." 

It  forgets  that  abstractions  are  practical.  What  was  it 
that  blew  Gideon's  trumpet  and  drew  impassable  lines 
round  the  exiled  David  in  the  wilderness  and  the  city? 
Truth,  abstract  truth.  What  was  it  that  in  the  days  of 
the  Maccabees  filled  the  mountains  of  Judea  with  tri- 
umphant soldiers,  who  rolled  back  again  and  again  the 
tide  of  terrific  invasion  ?  An  abstract  truth.  What  was 
it  that  made  Cromwell's  lines  the  terror  of  Europe,  and 
Washington's  undisciplined  forces  the  conquerors  of 
British  troops  ?  An  abstraction — a  mere  abstraction. 
What  is  it  that  is  overturning  the  nations,  and  spread- 
ing over  earth  the  bloom  and  the  beauty  of  Paradise  ? 
A  set  of  abstract  truths — such  as  that  all  men  have 
equal  rights,  and  that  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save 
sinners.  What  profession,  trade,  or  art  is  not  founded  in 
abstractions  ? 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  205 

But  there  is  a  speculative  philosophy  in  vogue.  It  is 
usually  developed  in  advanced  age  and  advanced  stages 
of  society.  Our  own  country  is  not  fruitful  of  it;  we 
are  too  busy  with  outward  things.  Abstractions  float 
about  the  nation's  mind,  but  they  are  generally  imported 
from  Europe,  chiefly  from  Germany — that  land  which  in 
modern  times  seems  to  be  the  favorite  resort  of  the  spec- 
ulative intellect.  I  have  not  time  to  mention  more  than 
two  or  three  of  the  classes  of  the  speculative  philoso- 
phers of  the  age. 

1.  We  have  the  political  speculatist,  who  aims  to  make 
society  perfect  by  perfecting  social  institutions:  hence 
the  communism  and  revolutionism  which  so  lately  over- 
spread Europe  like  a  cholera,  and  the  rage  for  new  con- 
stitutions which  has  seized  the  people  of  the  United 
States.  The  theory  is  this  :  Give  the  people  a  good  con- 
stitution, and  they  will  have  good  laws ;  give  them  good 
laws,  and  they  will  be  prosperous;  make  them  prosper- 
ous, and  they  will  be  happy;  make  them  happy,  and  they 
will  be  virtuous.  The  old  policy  was — make  the  indi- 
vidual right,  and  the  aggregate  will  be  right;  the  new 
is — make  the  aggregate  right,  and  never  mind  the  indi- 
vidual. The  old  philosophy  was,  ''  Out  of  the  heart  pro- 
ceed evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulteries,  fornications, 
thefts,  false  witness,  blasphemies;"  the  new  is,  Out  of 
the  lawgivers  proceed  evil  thoughts,  etc.;  therefore,  cry 
these  sages,  make  us  lawgivers,  and  we  will  purify  the 
nation.  Let  us  construct  the  political  machine ;  then 
shall  the  vine  yield  her  fruit,  the  ground  her  increase, 
and  the  heavens  their  dew;  the  hire  of  man  and  beast 
shall  rise,  and  the  people  shall  possess  all  things;  old 
men  shall  wear  young  eyes,  and  happy  boys  and  girls 
shall  "  smell  April  and  May  "  all  through  the  year.  You 
construct  a  body-politic  !  Social  institutions  are  not  the 
work  of  art.     Art  may,  indeed,  assist  nature ;  it  may  also 


206  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

restrain  it.  Many  a  politician  glories  in  a  cure  which  ho 
alleges  he  has  wrought  by  his  remedy,  when  he  ought  to 
thank  the  vis  medicatrix  of  the  poor  body-politic  that  he 
has  not  dispatched  it.  The  New  Jerusalem  can  never  be 
legislated  into  being.  Make  your  mountains  mountains  of 
the  Lord,  and  they  shall  blossom;  make  your  cities  cities 
of  truth,  and  they  shall  swarm.  Man  is  not  passive,  but 
active;  he  can  never  be  raised  ah  extra ;  the  progress  of 
society  is  from  within  outward,  not  from  without  inward. 
Make  a  nation  wise  and  vin-tuous,  and  it  will  shake  des- 
potism from  the  throne  as  the  lion  shakes  the  dew  from 
his  mane,  and  it  will  construct  a  suitable  constitution 
and  code  as  certainly,  as  steadily,  and  may  be  as  silently 
as  the  hive  constructs  the  comb  and  fills  its  cells  with 
honey.  Politicians  may  hasten  this  operation;  but  only 
by  removing  the  restrictions  which  fetter  industry,  and 
by  crushing  the  enginery  of  fraud,  and  prejudice,  and 
slavery;  in  short,  by  breaking  down  the  hinderances  to 
human  progress  which  they  have  set  up,  and  allowing  a 
more  perfect  freedom  of  human  action,  and  a  more  per- 
fect protection  to  human  right. 

I  am  not  insensible  of  the  influence  of  both  bread 
and  freedom  upon  virtue.  I  know,  too,  that  independ- 
ence and  plenty  may  only  hasten  a  nation's  destruction. 
France  in  her  revolution  tried  the  inverted  process  of 
perfecting  men — that  of  political  machinery.  You  speak 
of  the  hinderances  to  its  operation — kingcraft,  priest- 
craft, the  established  institutions  of  society,  and  the  prej- 
udices of  education.  But  the  revolutionists  of  France 
sweep  these  away  before  they  begin ;  they  declare  the 
Divine  law  to  be  no  more,  and  the  Lord's  prophet  to  have 
no  vision ;  they  cause  the  Sabbaths  and  solemn  feasts  to 
be  forgotten,  and  pollute  the  sanctuary  with  the  vilest 
abominations.  Now  they  can  construct  a  body-politic  to 
their  heart's  content.     Mark  the  result.     France  hangs 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  207 

down  her  head  to  the  ground ;  her  eyes  fail  with  watch- 
ing; her  bowels  are  troubled;  her  heart  is  poured  out  in 
the  dust.  She  says,  "  Behold,  0  Lord,  and  pity !  Shall 
the  Seine  still  roll  its  crimson  tide  to  the  sea?  Shall 
the  heads  of  orators  and  philosophers  drop  down  fresh 
blood  from  the  lamp-post  every  morning  ?  Shall  the  fa- 
therless children  swarm  as  the  wounded  in  the  streets  of 
the  city  ?  Shall  virgins  and  young  men  fall  together  by 
the  sword  ?  Shall  man  slay  in  his  anger  and  no  one 
pity?  Shall  the  day  be  full  of  terrors  as  the  night  is 
of  darkness  ?" 

2.  There  is  the  moral  speculatist.  Men  are  prone  to 
believe  Scripture  if  they  can  divest  it  of  its  tendency  to 
produce  holiness.  The  fool  would  believe  in  God  were 
it  not  for  his  all-seeing  eye ;  and  liberals  will  advocate 
Christianity  if  they  can  divest  it  of  specific  precepts  and 
eternal  sanctions.  The  moral  speculatist  comes  in  for 
this  purpose.  This  is  his  theory :  Virtue  aims  at  the 
greatest  good  of  the  universe.  Every  thing  which  tends 
to  narrow  the  bounds  of  our  affections  diminishes  our  re- 
gard for  the  general  good  :  hence,  patriotism,  gratitude, 
and  the  family  affections  should  be  repressed  as  unfavor- 
able to  virtue.  Man  should  turn  from  domestic,  social, 
national,  and  ecclesiastical  scenes  to  contemplate  the  dis- 
tinct, definite,  permanent,  glorious  object,  man  ;  and  an- 
nul all  attachments  to  individuals,  which  are  changing, 
indistinctly  seen,  passing  away,  and  of  little  consequence, 
that  he  may  consecrate  himself  upon  the  altar  of  human- 
ity in  general.  This  is  a  beautiful  theory;  and  like  many 
a  pretty  model  of  a  machine  to  produce  perpetual  mo- 
tion, the  only  objection  to  it  is  that  it  will  not  work. 
Man,  though  a  glorious  object,  is  but  an  abstraction — few 
can  perceive  it  distinctly;  they  who  do  can  not  sympa- 
thize with  it ;  we  can  not  be  moved  to  act  for  that  in 
which  we  feel  no  interest.     Nor  is  this  the  only  diffi- 


208  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

culty;  the  good  of  the  whole  is  beyond  our  comprehen- 
sion. How  can  we  know  what  means  will  promote  it?  or 
with  what  interest  could  we  apply  them,  after  having 
rooted  from  our  breasts  the  family,  social,  and  patriotic 
attachments,  and  robbed  the  heart  of  its  sensibility? 

There  is  a  philosophic  speculatist.  The  type  of  the 
class  is  Kant — a  man  who  rarely  passed  beyond  the  walls 
of  his  native  city,  and  was  never  seen  thirty  miles  from 
its  gates.  He  was  as  near  an  abstraction  as  could  well 
be;  for,  although  he  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  he  was 
never  married,  except,  perhaps,  in  the  abstract.  He 
had,  however,  a  double  basis  for  his  philosophy — a  real- 
istic and  an  idealistic.  His  followers  have  not  been  so 
wise.  Fichte  rejects  the  former,  and  traces  all  knowl- 
edge to  the  latter;  the  soul,  according  to  him,  sits  in 
the  center  of  its  consciousness,  and  draws  the  scenes  of 
its  subjective  circle  as  the  spider  spins  his  web.  Schel- 
ling  affirms  that  subject  and  object  are  the  two  poles  of 
existence.  Hegel  brings  the  poles  together,  asserting 
that  subject  and  object,  thought  and  being,  are  one; 
that  the  Deity  is  only  a  process,  and  this  process  identi- 
cal with  the  evolution  of  ideas  in  the  human  mind. 
This  is  the  ultima  ihule  of  the  philosophy  of  the  abso- 
lute, which  usually  envelops  itself  in  a  cloud  of  words, 
so  as  to  remind  us  of  the  poet's  lines  to  dullness : 

"Explain  about  it,  and  explain,  till  all  men  doubt  it; 
And  talk  about  it,  and  about  it,  and  about  it." 

It  is  the  reverse  of  the  philosophy  of  Bacon.  According 
to  him,  if  you  would  form  an  idea  of  a  man,  for  example, 
you  must  see  him ;  if  you  would  know  him  physically, 
you  must  study  him  anatomically  and  physiologically;  if 
you  would  know  him  intellectually,  you  must  mark  his 
utterances,  and  actions,  and  habits.  According  to  the 
latter,  if  you  would  form  a  perfect  idea  of  a  man,  you 


EXTREMES    IN    PHILOSOPHY.  209 

must  take  him  muscles,  bones,  and  brains — substances 
and  fluids — all  that  has  form,  color,  extension,  and  divis- 
ibility— words  and  works — entirely  out  of  the  way;  im- 
agine a  vacuum  under  his  hat,  and  study  the  man  him- 
self standing  right  up  in  the  abstract. 

18 


210  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


1 


IN  mere  animal  life  improvement  is  traceable  to  exter- 
nal causes,  such  as  climate,  soil,  food,  shelter,  and  the 
contour  and  relief  of  the  country;  but  in  man  it  is  not 
so.  We  must,  indeed,  grant  that  so  far  as  his  body  is 
concerned,  external  circumstances  have  power  over  him, 
and  that  through  the  body  they  may  reach  the  mind  and 
heart;  but  the  limits  of  this  influence  are  narrow.  We 
often  find  the  most  perfect  animal  man  very  low  in  the 
scale  of  civilization,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  poorest 
physical  human  frame  in  union  with  the  most  exalted 
moral  powers.  The  region  which  brings  forth  the  palm- 
tree  and  nourishes  the  lion,  produces  but  pigmy  men; 
while  the  temperate  latitudes  present  us  with  the  noblest 
intellects.  So  far  as  external  circumstances  affect  human 
character,  they  operate  through  the  mind  rather  than  the 
body.  It  is  the  necessity  for  toil  which  a  churlish  cli- 
mate imposes,  that  makes  the  temperate  region  more  pro- 
lific of  intellect  than  the  tropical;  and  the  same  thing 
would  make  the  frigid  more  favorable  than  the  temperate, 
but  that  there  is  a  limit  beyond  which  humanity  can  not 
well  be  taxed.  To  raise  up  man  to  his  highest  elevation, 
he  must  be  operated  upon  within.  What  is  the  surest 
means  of  so  operating  upon  the  soul  as  best  to  develop 
and  train  its  powers?  I  answer,  religious  truth.  Any 
great  doctrine  may  be  taken  for  illustration.  We  select 
that  all-comprehending  truth,  the  beginning  and  end  of 
science — there  is  a  God. 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  211 

Now,  I  assert  that  the  degree  in  which  this  truth  is 
apprehended  and  felt,  other  things  being  equal,  is  the 
measure  of  a  man's  power.  1.  It  is  the  measure  of  his 
power  to  think.  He  who  apprehends  God  truly  has  great 
encouragement  to  think-  If  we  believed  that  we  were  from 
the  dust  and  to  the  dust,  our  thoughts  would  be  of  the 
earth,  earthy;  a  depressing  weight  would  hang  upon  all 
our  faculties;  there  would  be  no  upspringing  to  the  light, 
no  leaping  or  looking  forward  beyond  the  grave;  but  in 
despair  we  should  look  down  upon  the  worm  as  our 
brother,  and  the  sepulcher  as  our  final  home.  How  dif- 
ferent when  one  feels  that  he  is  the  offspring  of  infinite 
mind — the  child  of  God — destined  to  immortality  and 
eternal  progress !  How  all  the  faculties,  under  the  im- 
pulse of  such  a  faith,  open  as  flowers  to  the  summer's 
sun  !  How  every  feeling  points  upward  to  things  unseen ! 
In  deepest  perplexity  the  soul  may  wait  patiently,  hope- 
fully— wait  for  the  unfolding  of  its  own  powers;  for  the 
germination  of  hidden  spiritual  seed;  for  the  outflowing 
of  concealed  spices;  for  the  rising  of  stars  in  the  dark- 
ness; for  the  dawning  of  an  eternal  morning.  However 
baffled  in  its  researches,  it  may  continue  them  with  this 
assurance,  "  What  thou  knowest  not  now,  thou  shalt  know 
hereafter."  If  there  be  one  Lord,  one  law  over  all 
things,  then  may  we  repose  confidence  in  our  science :  if 
God  be  immutable,  then  may  we  rest  assured  that  our 
acquisitions  of  truth  will  never  lose  their  value.  As  God 
is  infinitely  wise,  we  may  look  steadfastly  and  confidently 
for  order  and  harmony  even  in  confusion  and  discord; 
and  while  we  are  kept  sensible  of  our  deficiency,  we  may 
also  be  kept  athirst  for  advancement.  We  learn  to  regard 
the  whole  universe  with  interest,  as  the  domain  of  our 
Father;  the  shadow  of  his  attributes  and  the  scaffold- 
ing erected  to  furnish  us  at  once  with  the  means  and 
the  motives  to  ascend  the  heavens.     We  find  in  God  a 


212  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

starting-point  in  pursuit  of  truth;  a  firm  foundation 
for  our  reasonings;  a  link  to  all  that  is  permanent;  a 
sky-light  without  which  the  temple  of  truth  would  be  a 
tomb. 

Purity  of  heart  promotes  strength  of  mind.  A  man 
may  have  his  mind  improved  without  enjoying  a  corre- 
spondent improvement  in  the  heart;  but  he  can  not  have 
his  heart  improved  without  having  his  understanding 
enriched.  As  the  heart  becomes  clarified,  prejudice, 
selfishness,  and  passion  decline,  and  the  desire  for  truth 
grows  strong.  Now,  what  motive  to  purity  so  great  as  a 
just  conception  of  God?  Take  a  man  from  his  family 
and  place  him  among  strangers,  and  you  greatly  diminish 
his  moral  restraint.  Remove  him  to  the  frontier  of  civ- 
ilization, and  unless  he  have  unusual  moral  principle  he 
will  become  reckless;  place  him  among  savages,  and  he 
will  grow  into  a  savage;  shut  him  up  with  brutes,  and  he 
will  become  brutish.  But  move  him  in  the  other  direc- 
tion, from  the  less  to  the  more  pure  society,  from  the  less 
to  the  greater  scrutiny,  till  he  reaches  the  holiest  society 
and  the  most  intimate  fellowship  of  earth,  and  he  be- 
comes greatly  improved.  Could  he  be  placed  in  the  cen- 
ter of  an  amphitheater,  and  all  the  good  of  earth  and  all 
the  saints  and  angels  of  heaven  be  ranged  around  him, 
while  every  eye  was  directed  to  his  transparent  breast, 
how  pure  would  be  his  emotions  and  his  aims!  But 
what  were  the  gaze  of  the  universe  to  the  eye  of  God? 
Lafayette,  it  is  said,  when  immured  in  his  castle  prison, 
never  looked  through  the  key-hole  of  his  dungeon  with- 
out meeting  the  eye  of  a  sentinel  directed  upon  him.  So 
may  faith,  in  the  darkest  corner  of  the  earth,  look  into 
the  eye  of  God. 

There  is  another  consideration :  mind  grows  by  its  own 
expression;  but  new  truth  is  generally  unpopular;  it 
must  be  expressed  first  in  darkness,  often  in  persecution, 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION,  213 

sometimes  in  death.  Now,  the  greatest  motive  to  a 
faithful  expression  of  truth  is  a  just  conception  of  its 
great -Author.  The  ancients  had  their  esoteric  and  exo- 
teric doctrines.  The  very  terms  show  that  they  often  held 
truth  a  prisoner;  and  why?  Not  so  much  from  want  of 
honesty  as  want  of  faith  in  God. 

2.  Our  idea  of  God  is  the  measure  of  our  power  to  act. 
Under  the  influence  of  mere  passion  a  man  may  put  forth 
great  power;  but,  like  brute  power,  it  is  neither  long 
sustained  nor  well  directed;  for  human  passion  is  evan- 
escent; and  as  it  is  not  guided  by  reason,  its  operations 
are  imperfect,  bungling,  and  liable  to  be  arrested  by 
obstacles,  the  voice  of  persuasion,  or  the  checks  of  con- 
science. I  grant  that  men  who  rid  themselves  of  all 
fear  of  the  future  may  become  desperate,  and,  circum- 
stances favoring,  may  be  terrible  to  the  earth;  but  their 
desperation  is  that  of  madness,  and  the  fear  which  it 
inspires  is  as  fitful.  Hercules  and  Theseus,  the  great 
heroes  of  antiquity,  are  fabled  to  have  moved  under  the 
direction  of  the  gods.  Alexander,  Caesar,  Genghis  Khan, 
Mohammed,  Bonaparte,  were  all  under  the  delusion  that 
they  were  pressed  forward  by  the  hand  of  the  Almighty. 
Tamerlane  was  arrested  in  his  march  till  he  called  the 
prophet  to  his  aid.  Atilla  conceived  himself  to  be  the 
scourge  of  God,  and  the  Huns  who  followed  him  thought 
his  sword  the  gift  of  the  Deity  and  the  symbol  of  tri- 
umph. With  Wellington  and  Nelson  the  idea  of  God 
gave  overpowering  force  to  their  sense  of  duty.  Wash- 
ington fought  through  the  Revolution  on  his  knees.  Hu- 
man nature,  sensible  of  its  weakness,  ignorant  of  the 
future,  and  a  prey  to  superstitious  fears,  can  project  no 
magnificent  schemes,  no  outsweeping  conquests,  no  long 
marches  over  bleeding  and  dying  men,  till  it  can  find 
authority  and  strength  in  some  real  or  supposed  divin- 
ity; and  the  majesty  of  this  divinity  is  the  measure  of 


214  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  courage,  the  intrepidity,  the  energy  which  it  puts 
forth.  If  this  be  so,  there  is  no  warrior  like  the  Chris- 
tian. Gustavus  Adolphus  said,  a  good  Christian  always 
makes  a  good  soldier.  So  he  does,  if  only  he  be  sure 
that  his  quarrel  is  right.  So  said  Prince  Eugene;  and 
both  of  them  were  illustrious  examples  of  the  remark. 
When  a  man  feels  that  God  is  with  him,  he  may  do  as 
occasion  shall  serve;  he  feels  that  the  laws  of  the  uni- 
verse are  devoted  to  his  purposes — that  the  stars  in  their 
courses  fight  for  him,  and  he  defies  a  misfortune  to  over- 
take him.  He  can  fortify  himself  with  a  pillar  of  cloud 
and  fire,  cross  seas  without  ships,  and  rivers  without 
bridges,  encounter  walls  with  rams'  horns,  rout  armies 
with  lamps  and  empty  pitchers,  and  bring  down  giants 
with  a  pebble  and  a  sling.  What  made  Cromwell  so 
mighty,  but  the  impression  that  he  was  the  leader  of 
God's  hosts?  What  but  a  sense  of  the  Divine  direction, 
protection,  and  blessing,  bore  up  the  Pilgrims  on  New 
England  shores  when  frosts,  and  diseases,  and  savages 
seemed  ready  to  destroy?  It  is  the  same  feeling  that 
bears  up  the  missionary,  whether  in  polar  seas  or  tropical 
islands,  whether  amid  the  bears  of  the  wilderness  or  his 
more  terrible  enemies,  the  Pagan  priests.  He  is  strong, 
/  because  he  feels  that  he  is  linked  to  Omnipotence. 
,  Whether  he  encounter  winds,  or  storms,  or  stripes,  or 
i  imprisonments,  or  labors,  or  tumults,  or  watchings,  or 
fastings,  or  men,  or  devils,  or  principalities,  or  powers,  or 
life,  or  death,  they  are  all  his  auxiliaries,  because  they 
all  belong  to  Him  whom  he  serves;  and  however  they 
may  affect  him,  he  feels  that  he  is  a  victor;  for  he  desires 
to  do  nothing  inconsistent  with  the  Divine  will,  and  he 
says,  I  can  do  all  things  consistent  with  it.  With  such  a 
feeling,  one  can  chase  a  thousand  men  and  two  put  ten 
thousand  to  flight.  It  is  not  often  that  the  Christian 
manifests  his  superiority  outwardly,  though  he  may  in- 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  216 

wardly;  for  "he  that  subdueth  his  spirit  is  greater  than 
he  that  taketh  a  city." 

The  power  to  endure  is  also  measured — other  things 
being  equal — by  an  individual's  idea  of  God.  We  have, 
I  know,  noble  examples  of  fortitude  in  men  whose  notion 
of  God  was  comparatively  low.  Codrus,  King  of  Athens, 
when  he  learned  that  the  Delphic  oracle  had  promised 
success  to  the  Dorians,  encamped  beneath  the  walls  of 
his  capital,  provided  they  spared  his  life,  disguised  him- 
self as  a  woodman  and  went  out  to  court  his  death. 
Codes,  the  Roman,  opposed  the  whole  army  of  Porsenna 
at  the  head  of  a  bridge,  while  his  companions  were  cut- 
ting off  the  communication  with  the  shore.  Regulus 
bore  patiently  the  keenest  torments  that  Carthaginian 
cruelty  could  invent  rather  than  persuade  his  countrymen 
to  an  ignominious  peace.  Mutius  Scoevola  put  his  hand 
into  the  flames  of  the  altar  before  his  enemy,  and  held  it 
there  till  it  fried  off.  But  in  all  these,  and  similar  in- 
stances, the  mind  is  under  the  strong  motives  of  pride, 
vanity,  patriotism,  revenge,  stimulated  by  the  sight,  and 
often,  too,  by  the  shout  of  an  applauding  country  and 
the  hope  of  an  undying  fame,  and  unchecked  by  the 
influence  of  countervailing  passion  or  of  reason;  for  usu- 
ally the  acts  are  performed  so  suddenly  as  to  give  no  time 
for  the  exercise  of  judgment.  How  often  does  the  man 
who  fearlessly  leads  his  platoon  to  battle,  tremble  before 
a  mad  dog,  or  turn  pale  before  a  corpse,  or  shrink  before 
a  single  adversary!  How  few  that  would  die  upon  the 
battle  plain  would  be  willing  to  lay  down  their  lives  for 
their  country,  if  their  sacrifices  were  forever  to  be  un- 
known, or  if  they  were  to  endure  death  upon  the  scaffold, 
or  in  a  dungeon,  or  amid  the  execrations  of  men !  If 
you  would  find  one  able  to  endure  all  forms  and  degrees 
of  suffering  nobly,  you  must  find  a  soul  that  reposes  upon 
the  one  living  and  true  God.     Talk  not  of  suffering  war- 


210  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

riors,  when  you  name  the  noble  army  of  martyrs  who, 
through  faith  in  God,  stopped  the  mouths  of  lions, 
quenched  the  violence  of  fire,  escaped  the  edge  of  the 
sword,  out  of  weakness  were  made  strong,  waxed  valiant 
in  fight,  turned  to  flight  the  armies  of  the  aliens,  were 
tortured,  not  accepting  deliverance  that  they  might  ob- 
tain a  better  resurrection.  And  others  had  trial  of  cruel 
mockings  and  scourgings,  yea,  moreover,  of  bonds  and 
imprisonments.  They  were  stoned,  they  were  sawn  asun- 
der, were  tempted,  were  slain  with  the  sword.  They 
wandered  about  in  sheepskins  and  goatskins,  being  desti- 
tute, afflicted,  tormented.  Here  is  royal  fortitude.  So, 
too,  when  a  man  is  called  to  suffer  bereavement,  his  power 
of  endurance  depends  upon  his  notion  of  God.  He  who 
has  not  a  just  conception  of  a  presiding  deity  can  scarce 
avoid  lamentation,  murmuring,  appalling  grief;  but  he 
who  embraces  the  true  idea  of  the  Almighty  may  say, 
"Thy  will  be  done;"  for  he  knows  that  will  to  be  best; 
he  knows  that  all  things  work  together  for  good ;  he  feels 
that  his  happiness  is  drawn  from  an  infinite  source,  and 
that  if  all  created  things  but  himself  were  to  perish  he 
would  have  enough  left. 

It  is  glorious  to  be  baptized  with  the  baptism  of  blood, 
and  to  burn  in  a  martyr's  fire;  but  perhaps  even  in  this 
land  of  peaceful  vineyards  and  protected  fig-trees  a  Chris- 
tian may  die  even  more  gloriously,  when,  for  example,  he 
dies  in  the  prime  of  life  with  a  crown  of  honor  awaiting 
him,  with  a  wife  in  all  the  fullness  of  love  and  the  fresh- 
ness of  beauty,  and  his  children  uneducated,  unprotected, 
prattling,  all  unconscious  of  their  coming  orphanage, 
beneath  his  pillow,  and  dies  without  a  murmur  in  his 
heart,  saying,  in  the  full  exercise  of  a  ripened  reason, 
"Weep  not  for  me;  I  ascend  to  my  Father  and  to  your 
Father,  through  the  all-prevailing  merits  of  Christ,  my 
Redeemer."     The  severest  trials  which  men  endure  are 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  217 

such  as  the  eye  can  not  see,  nor  the  ear  hear.  The  hard- 
est struggles  are  in  the  solitude  and  the  darkness,  and 
the  bitterest  agonies  are  such  as  no  friend  but  the  Crea- 
tor can  help  us  to  bear.  In  these  inner  conflicts  he  only 
is  mighty  to  endure  and  calm  to  suffer  who  believes  in 
the  infinite  Spirit,  and  who  relies  upon  such  a  promise  as 
this,  "When  thou  passest  through  the  waters  I  will  be 
with  thee,  and  through  the  rivers  they  shall  not  overflow 
thee.  When  thou  walkest  through  the  fire  thou  shalt 
not  be  burnt,  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee." 
To  the  Christian,  as  to  the  Kenite,  it  may  be  said,  strong 
is  thy  dwelling-place,  and  thou  puttest  thy  nest  in  a  rock. 
Macaulay,  speaking  of  the  Puritans,  says,  "The  intensity 
of  their  feelings  on  one  subject  made  them  tranquil  on 
every  other.  One  overpowering  sentiment  had  subjected 
to  itself  pity  and  hatred,  ambition  and  fear.  Death  had 
lost  its  terrors,  and  pleasure  its  charms.  They  had  their 
smiles  and  their  tears,  their  raptures  and  their  sorrows, 
but  not  for  the  things  of  this  world.  Enthusiasm  had 
made  them  Stoics;  had  cleared  their  minds  from  every 
vulgar  passion  and  prejudice,  and  raised  them  above 
the  influence  of  danger  and  of  corruption — insensi- 
ble to  fatigue,  to  pleasure,  and  to  pain — not  to  be 
pierced  by  any  weapon,  not  to  be  withstood  by  any 
barrier." 

And  this  brings  me  to  remark,  thirdly,  that  a  man's 
power  to  improve  is  owing  greatly  to  his  idea  of  God.  I 
know  not  why  it  is  so.  Perhaps  when  a  man's  views  are 
bounded  by  material  things  his  speculative  powers  are 
checked;  his  senses  having  led  him  as  far  as  he  supposes 
he  can  go,  and  his  desires  being  limited  by  time,  his 
aspirations  after  the  good  and  the  true  are  smothered. 
Seeing  no  friendly  power  beyond  to  guide  and  strengthen 
him  in  the  search  after  unknown  and  distant  truth,  he 
contents  himself  with  present  ignorance;  and  recogniz- 

19 


218  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ing  no  power  to  bring  tis  soul  to  account,  he  can  bury 
his  talent  without  interest  or  concern,  I  am  aware  that 
we  sometimes  see  a  mind  professedly  Atheistic,  rising  to 
the  bights  of  the  universe ;  but  it  is  in  a  country  filled 
with  other  minds  from  which  it  has  derived  its  stimulus 
and  its  speculative  habits.  As  with  individuals,  so  with 
nations.  On  the  pages  of  history  we  can  trace  distinctly 
civilization  passing,  pari  passu,  with  theology.  For  ex- 
ample, we  see  the  Jews  rising  and  falling  just  according 
to  their  notions  of  God — down  under  Chushan  Risha- 
thaim,  up  under  Othniel;  down  under  Eglon,  up  under 
Ehud;  down  under  Jabin,  up  under  Deborah;  down 
under  Midian,  up  under  Gideon;  down  under  the  Philis- 
tines, up  under  Samuel;  down  under  the  backsliding 
Saul,  up  under  David;  down  under  Rehoboam,  rising 
again  under  Asa;  down  under  Ahaz,  rising  again  under 
the  good  Hezekiah;  down  again  under  Amon,  aloft  once 
more  under  Josiah.  No  depression  but  what  is  traceable 
to  Balaam  and  Ashtaroth,  or  the  gods  of  Syria,  or  the 
gods  of  Sidon,  or  the  gods  of  Moab,  or  the  gods  of  the 
children  of  Amon,  or  the  gods  of  the  Philistines;  and 
no  exaltation  which  is  not  traceable  to  a  returning  adora- 
tion for  the  true  God.  Take  a  corresponding  illustration 
from  modern  history.  England  begins  to  emerge  from 
darkness  under  her  beloved  Alfred.  She  falls  and  rises 
subsequently,  according  to  her  theology.  The  advancing 
corruption  of  mother  Church  caused  the  early  lights, 
which  had  been  kindled  by  her  Henry,  of  Huntington, 
GeofFry,  of  Monmouth,  John,  of  Salisbury,  and  William, 
of  Malmesbury,  to  grow  pale  till,  at  length,  they  were  sub- 
stituted by  the  subtilities  of  scholasticism  and  the  dreams 
of  romance.  The  Reformation  came  under  Henry  the 
Eighth,  and  the  country  ascended  under  his  reign  and 
that  of  his  son,  Edward  Sixth.  It  descends  again  under 
Mary  the  Papist,  rises  aloft  once  more  under  the  illustri- 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  219 

ous  Elizabeth;  descends  again  under  James,  rises  again 
under  the  Commonwealth;  descends  once  more  under 
James  II,  and  rises  permanently  under  the  crown  of  the 
Prince  of  Orange. 

To  show  that  this  connection  between  a  correct  knowl- 
edge of  God  and  the  advancing  intelligence  of  a  people 
is  not  accidental,  and  that  the  former  is  not  a  cojisequence 
but  a  cause  of  the  latter,  let  it  be  noted,  1.  That  the 
type  of  a  nation's  civilization  seems  to  depend  upon  its 
theology.  Man,  favored  with  a  revelation  from  God,  goes 
forth  from  his  primitive  seat  on  the  plateau  of  Iran:  one 
tribe  descending  in  the  south-west  stretches  along  the 
fertile  valleys  of  the  Tigris  and  the  Euphrates.  Under 
the  impulse  of  the  primitive  religion  it  speeds  its  way  to  a 
glorious  elevation,  whose  monuments  are  yet  to  be  seen; 
but  from  the  true  God  it  turns  to  the  worship  of  the 
heavenly  bodies,  and  its  mind  becomes  a  cold,  grand, 
gloomy  one.  Another  tribe  advances  to  the  valley  of  the 
Nile  and  soon  becomes  illustrious;  but  it  worships  first 
symbols,  then  brutes,  and  its  national  mind  becomes  like 
its  land,  when,  smitten  with  the  curse  of  Moses,  "God 
sent  darkness  upon  it  and  made  it  dark."  Other  tribes 
took  possession  of  the  plains  of  India  and  China;  they 
soon  put  God  afar  off,  and  there  they  stand,  without  hav- 
ing made  one  step  of  progress  through  all  the  ages  that 
have  past.  Greece  received  from  Phenicia,  Phrygia,  and 
Egypt  the  germs  of  a  better  civilization.  She,  too,  per- 
verted the  idea  of  the  Almighty;  but  she  did  not  put 
God  so  far  away.  Her '  Olympus  was  animated,  and 
warmed,  and  enlightened,  though  attempered  with  weak- 
ness and  deformed  with  vice.  Her  mind  corresponds  to 
her  mythology — free,  active,  progressive,  passionate,  er- 
ratic. It  ascends  gradually.  The  tribes  that  pass  over 
the  Caucasus  to  the  north  and  west,  pervert  their  concep- 
tion of  the  Almighty  into  that  of  rude  and  bloody  divini- 


220  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ties,   and  their  own  intellect  becomes   rude   and    their 
hearts  cruel. 

2.  Observe,  again,  the  noblest  conceptions  of  God,  in 
every  nation,  come  from  the  best  minds,  and  mark  the 
culminating  period  of  a  nation's  intellect.  The  Persian 
mind  reaches  its  zenith  in  Cyrus — the  warrior,  statesman, 
and  philosopher — a  pure  theist.  Hesiod,  Homer,  Socra- 
tes have  grand  ideas  of  God;  these  seem  to  expand  as 
the  mind  of  Greece  rises  till  it  culminates  in  Plato,  who 
enjoys  sublimest  visions  of  the  Supreme.  The  Roman 
mind  attained  its  highest  elevation  in  Cicero,  who  had 
the  noblest  conception  of  the  true  God  except  that  which 
is  communicated  by  revelation.  The  Arabian  mind 
reached  its  summit  in  him  whose  poem  has  been  pro- 
nounced the  sublimest  extant,  and  whose  soul  is  radiant 
with  reflections  from  the  great  "I  Am."  "Well  might  he 
cry  out,  "0  that  my  words  were  now  written;  0  that 
they  were  printed  in  a  book;  that  they  were  graven  with 
an  iron  pen  in  lead;  that  they  were  cut  into  the  eternal 
rock  I"  Words  are  worthy  to  be  driven  into  the  granite 
with  chisel  and  mallet  when  they  convey  such  conceptions 
of  God  as  Job's.  The  Jewish  intellect  culminated  with 
David,  whose  soul  flutters  round  the  idea  of  God  as  a 
sparrow  around  her  nest;  whose  songs  are  hymns  of 
prayer  and  praise;  who,  at  midnight,  considers  the  heav- 
ens, the  moon,  and  stars  which  God  has  ordained,  and  at 
dawn  sweeps  his  harp  to  Him  who  maketh  the  outgoings 
of  the  morning  and  evening  to  rejoice;  who  draws  from 
each  day  and  night  utterances  of  divine  wisdom;  who,  in 
his  own  heart,  traces  the  mind  of  Jehovah;  and  who, 
every-where  and  at  all  times,  is  lost  in  God.  "0  Lord, 
thou  hast  searched  me,  and  known  me.  Thou  knowesfc 
my  down-setting  and  mine  up-rising.  Thou  understand- 
est  my  thought  afar  off.  Thou  compassest  my  path  and 
my  lying  down,  and   art  acquainted  with   all   my  ways. 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  221 

For  there  is  not  a  word  in  my  tongue,  but  lo,  0  Lord, 
thou  knowest  it  altogether.  Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy 
Spirit?  or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence?  If  I 
ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there :  if  I  make  my  bed 
in  hell,  behold,  thou  art  there.  If  I  take  the  wings  of 
the  morning,  and  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea; 
even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand 
shall  hold  me."  In  whom  did  the  English  mind  culmi- 
nate? Locke,  Newton,  Milton  start  up  before  us,  all  as 
much  distinguished  for  their  reverence  for  God  as  for 
their  profound  intellects.  Each  one  of  them  rose  upon 
the  world  like  a  supernal  being.  Out  of  each  one's 
sou),  if  soul  were  divisible,  could  be  cut  a  world  of  more 
modern  philosophers.  Concerning  one  of  them,  a  French 
nobleman  is  said  to  have  asked  an  English  one  seriously, 
Does  Newton  eat,  and  drink,  and  sleep  like  mortals? 
Which  is  the  greatest,  it  may  be  difficult  to  say.  My 
mind  fixes  upon  Milton.  Bacon  exceeds  him  in  compre- 
hension, Shakspeare  in  portraying  the  human  heart,  and 
Thomson  in  depicting  nature;  but  no  uninspired  mind 
equals  him  in  sublimity.  What  is  the  secret  of  his 
grandeur?  It  is  his  awful  conception  of  the  Creator. 
In  his  bights,  and  depths,  and  lengths  the  idea  of  God 
on  all  sides  round 

"  As  one  great  fiimace  flamed." 

Intimating  his  purpose  to  write  his  great  poem,  he  says 
it  is  a  work  ''not  to  be  raised  from  the  heat  of  youth  or 
the  vapors  of  wine,  like  that  which  flows  at  waste  from 
the  pen  of  some  vulgar  amorist,  or  the  trencher  fury  of  a 
rhyming  parasite;  nor  to  be  obtained  by  the  invocation  of 
dame  Memory  and  her  siren  daughters,  but  by  devout 
prayer  to  that  eternal  Spirit  who  can  enrich  with  all 
utterance  and  knowledge,  and  sends  out  his  seraphim 
with  the  hallowed  fire  of  his  altar  to  touch  and  purify 


222  EDUCATIONAI.    ESSAYS. 

the  lips  of  whom  he  pleases."  Who  can  forget  his  open- 
ing invocation? 

"  But  thou,  0  Spirit,  that  dost  prefer, 
Before  all  temples,  the  upright  heart  and  pure, 
Instruct  me,  for  thou  knovvest." 

It  was  the  idea  of  this  Spirit,  ever  brooding  over  his 
great  soul,  that  "made  it  pregnant."  Thus  he  had 
power — to  use  his  own  language — "to  imbreed  and  cher- 
ish in  a  great  people  the  seeds  of  virtue  and  civility;  to 
allay  the  perturbations  of  the  mind  and  set  the  aflFections 
in  right  tune;  to  celebrate,  in  glorious  and  lofty  hymns, 
the  throne  and  equipage  of  God's  almightiness,  and  what 
he  works  and  what  he  suffers  to  be  wrought  with  high 
providence  in  his  Church;  to  sing  victorious  agonies  of 
martyrs  and  saints."  Hence  it  is  that  his  great  poem  is 
like  a  temple,  and  his  majestic  lines  flow  over  the  soul 
like  an  organ  chant. 

It  is  when  the  mind  approaches  the  thought  of  Jeho- 
vah that  it  attains  its  highest  elevation.  This  shows  that 
it  is  not  the  mind  that  generates  the  thought,  but  the 
thought  that  stimulates  the  mind.  And  this  is  what 
might  be  expected.  No  attribute  of  God  that  is  not 
awfully  sublime ;  no  object  sublime  but  as  it  resembles 
God.  Go  over  the  elements  of  sublimity  and  see — hight, 
depth,  extent,  antiquity,  obscurity,  power,  etc.  When 
we  have  a  right  apprehension  of  the  Almighty,  the 
universe  becomes  a  Bethel,  and  every  truth  we  learn  a 
round  of  Jacob's  ladder.  We  walk  the  earth  dignified, 
hopeful,  aspiring  beings.  Angels  are  around  us,  and  we 
catch  their  inspiration.  Examples  might  be  multiplied. 
What  production  of  Thomson's  equal  to  his  Hymn  to  the 
Seasons?     He  commences  it  with, 

"These,  almighty  Father,  these  are  but  the  varied  God;" 

and  he  ascends  till  he  swells  out  the  full  voice  of  praise: 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  223 

"  Should  fate  command  me  to  the  farthest  verge 
Of  the  green  earth ;  to  distant,  barbarous  climes — 
Rivers  unknown  to  song ; 

Where  first  the  sun  gilds  Indian  mountains,  or  his  setting  beams 
Flame  o'er  Atlantic  isles ;   'tis  naught  to  me, 
Since  God  is  ever  present,  ever  felt 
In  the  void  waste,  as  in  the  city  full." 

What  production  of  Coleridge  to  be  compared  for  sublim- 
ity to  his  Hymn  before  sunrise  in  the  vale  of  Chamouny  ? 
How  was  he  invigorated  for  the  song  ! 

"  Entranced  in  prayer, 
I  worshiped  the  Invisible  alone." 

His  inspiration  increases  as  he  advances,  till  he  cries, 

"God!  let  the  torrents  like  a  shout  of  nations 
Answer !  and  let  the  ice-plains  echo,  God ! 
God,  sing  ye  meadow  streams  with  gladsome  voice ; 
Ye  pine  groves,  with  your  soft  and  soul-like  sounds ; 
And  they  too  have  a  voice,  yon  piles  of  snow. 
And  in  their  perilous  fall  shall  thunder,  God ! 

Tell  thou  the  silent  sky. 

And  tell  the  stars,  and  tell  yon  rising  sun. 
Earth,  with  her  thousand  voices,  praises  God." 

If  we  lay  the  map  of  the  world  before  us,  it  will  ex- 
hibit the  same  result  as  history.  There  is  but  one  form 
of  religion  which  recognizes  no  supreme  God — Fetichism. 
Where  it  is  found,  animals,  mountains,  trees,  and  even 
vessels,  weapons,  and  stones  are  the  objects  of  wor- 
ship. And  where  does  this  prevail?  In  Africa,  that 
continent  which  would  scarce  be  missed  were  it  swal- 
lowed by  the  waves ;  and  in  its  darkest  part — the  west- 
ern, eastern,  and  southern  portions — where  the  human 
mind  is  a  vast  Sahara,  without  an  oasis,  we  find  here  no 
history,  no  letters,  no  alphabet ;  in  many  regions  no  agri- 
culture, nor  any  arms  or  arts,  but  the  rudest,  and  scarce 
any  commerce  but  in  human  flesh.  We  shudder  as  we 
view  naked  bodies,  stupid  minds,  and  passions  ferocious 
as  the  serpents  of  the  wilderness.  We  scarce  know 
where,  in  the  scale  of  being,  to  draw  the  line  between 


224  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  lower  animals  and  him  who  was  created  in  the  Divine 
image.  We  find  the  same  religion  in  Australia  and 
among  some  of  the  savages  of  America;  and  here,  too, 
the  same  degradation,  and  mental  bondage,  and  sluggish- 
ness. Asia  worships  the  true  God,  but  has  false  concep- 
tions of  him.  This  is  the  land  of  dreamy  intellect,  of 
morbid  sensibilities,  of  stationary  civilizations.  We  see 
the  conception  of  God  variously  modified  in  its  diff'erent 
nations,  and  we  mark,  as  we  pass  over  them,  a  ripening 
of  the  human  mind  in  proportion  to  the  approach  to  a 
right  and  perfect  conception  of  the  Almighty.  Lowest 
in  the  scale,  perhaps,  we  may  place  the  Brahmins.  They 
acknowledge  a  supreme  God — Brahm — but  they  put  him 
afar  off,  and  ascribe  creation,  preservation,  and  destruc- 
tion to  inferior  divinities.  As  might  be  expected,  they 
overthrow  his  altars,  neglect  his  temples,  and  leave  him 
nothing  but  the  name,  while  they  give  their  chief  adora- 
tion to  the  god  Vishnu  and  his  nine  incarnations,  of 
which  Juggernaut  is  one.  What  is  their  intellectual 
state?  So  little  has  been  their  progress  that  the  descrip- 
tion given  of  them  at  the  time  of  Alexander's  conquest 
would  answer  for  them  now,  notwithstanding  the  influ- 
ence which  they  have  recently  received  from  civilized 
nations,  and  the  frequent  infusions  of  impulsive  mind 
which  they  have  enjoyed  in  the  lapse  of  ages.  True, 
there  has  been  some  progress  downward,  for  the  cruelty 
of  the  Juggernaut  and  of  the  Suttee  are  perhaps  of  com- 
paratively recent  introduction.  The  gorgeous  literature 
of  India  is  of  high  antiquity;  latterly  its  mind  has  been 
like  a  doomed  soil,  that  produces  cockle  instead  of  barley, 
and  tares  instead  of  wheat.  Next  comes  Boodhism, 
which  overspreads  Farther  India,  the  Chinese  empire, 
and  Japan.  This  is  a  reformation  of  Brahminism. 
While  it  recognizes  an  eternal  First  Cause,  it  repre- 
sents him  as  reposing  in  profound  slumber,  from  which 


EELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  225 

he  only  now  and  then  awakens  to  send  down  some  per- 
fected spirits,  that  they  may  make  certain  necessary 
alterations  in  the  universe.  Its  milder  rites,  its  purer 
thoughts,  its  more  gorgeous  worship  indicate  that  the 
advance  which  it  has  made  toward  a  just  conception  of  the 
eternal  One,  has  stimulated  into  better  action  the  imag- 
ination, if  not  the  other  powers  of  the  mind.  The  better 
class  embrace  the  Pantheism  of  Confucius,  which  is  the 
established  religion  of  the  Chinese  empire,  and  which 
leads  the  mind  to  Him  in  whom  "  we  live,  and  move,  and 
have  our  being,"  though  it  does  not  sufficiently  distin- 
guish the  absolute,  original  being  from  his  outward  man- 
ifestations ;  still  it  is  an  advance  from  Boodhism  toward 
rational  Theism,  and  the  mind  which  receives  it  is  the 
learned  and  ruling  mind  of  the  east.  Throughout  the 
vast  regions  of  which  we  have  spoken,  the  conceptions 
of  God  are  indistinct,  and  mingled  with  those  of  nature. 
The  universe  does  not  present  itself  as  under  the  con- 
stant care  and  control  of  an  infinite  mind,  who  regulates 
all  things  by  wise  and  immutable  laws.  Hence,  gloom 
and  uncertainty  pervade  the  nations.  Moreover,  the 
Deity  is  presented  to  the  mind  as,  to  a  certain  extent, 
patient  as  well  as  agent,  and  thus,  to  the  same  extent, 
the  sense  of  human  accountability  is  lost.  The  im- 
mortality of  the  soul  is,  for  the  most  part,  a  mere 
resorption  into  the  eternal  One;  hence,  the  aspirations 
of  the  heart  are  stifled.  What,  then,  could  be  expected 
but  fables,  and  superstitions,  and  painful  apprehensions, 
and  rigid  mortifications,  and  a  character,  in  general, 
timid,  vain,  pusillanimous,  slavish?  Passing  by  the 
Sintoism  of  Japan,  and  the  Shaminism  of  Siberia — na- 
tions a  little  below  those  which  we  have  just  left,  both 
in  their  ideas  of  God  and  their  mental  character — and 
also  the  Guebers  of  Persia,  and  of  the  western  coast 
of  India — the  remains  of  the  fire  worshipers — we  come 


226  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS, 

to  Nanekism — a  mixture  of  Mohammedism  with  Brah- 
minism — professed  by  the  sheiks  of  India,  who  put  forth 
an   activity,    energy,    intrepidity,  such   as  might  be   ex- 
pected from  the  brighter  beams  of  the  godhead,  which 
the  infusion  of   Mohammedism  secures.     Crossing  now 
the    Belur,  and   looking   over   the    table-land  stretching 
westward,  with  the  plains  on  each  side  and  the  desert 
beyond  them,  and  carrying  our  eye  forward,  on  the  one 
side,  into  Europe,  and,  on  the  other,  along  the  western 
border  of  the  Mediterranean,  we  find  the  home  of  Mo- 
hammedism, a  faith  which,  whatever  may  be  said  of  its 
founder,   or  its    falsehood,  embraced    and    pressed  upon 
mankind   the   eternal   truth — there   is  but  one  God — a 
truth  which  Mohammed  found  in  the  Bible,  and  which 
he  affected  to  teach  in  the  same  strain  as  it  had  been  pro- 
claimed by  Adam,  Noah,  Abraham,  Moses,  and  Christ, 
whose  authority  he  never  called  in  question.     It  was  a 
truth  whicb,  though  taught  by  an  impostor,  and  mingled 
with  fiction,  infused   into  men  a  power  of  thought  and 
feeling  before  which  the  nations,  weakened  by  supersti- 
tion  and   idolatry,  were    easily  crushed.     Looking   over 
this  region,  whether  we  notice  the  brave,  independent, 
adventurous,  amorous,  story-telling  Affghan,  or  his  hos- 
pitable, honest,  but  sometimes  sanguinary  neighbor  of 
Beloochistan,  or  the  manly,  wandering,  often  predatory 
Tartar,  or  the  vigorous,  capricious,  and  cruel  Turk,  or 
the  gay,   deceitful,  active,  acquisitive,  luxurious,  scien- 
tific, poetic,  polished  Persian,  or  the  brave  child  of  Ish- 
mael,  fierce  and  fleet  as  his  war-horse,  fiery  as  the  burning 
sands  of  his  wilderness,  and  generous  and  patient  as  his 
faithful  camel ;  we  see,  we  feel  that  we  have  ascended  in 
the  gradation  of  mind  since  we  entered  western  Asia; 
we  observe  a  sprightliness,  an  activity,  an  anxiety,  a  free- 
dom that  indicates  a  greater  sense  of  the  dignity  and 
responsibility  of   man.      Proceeding    into   Europe,   the 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  227 

light  of  civilization  and  Christianity  increases  as  we 
advance,  till  it  shines  in  meridian  splendor;  and  the 
brightness  is  in  proportion  to  the  power  and  purity  with 
which  the  idea  of  God  is  apprehended.  In  the  south 
of  Europe  men  see  God,  to  a  great  extent,  through 
images,  and  hear  him  through  saints,  and  commune  with 
him  through  priests.  The  mind  is  fanciful,  fickle,  pas- 
sionate; in  the  north  it  is  thinking,  independent,  vigor- 
ous, resolute,  having  deep  and  abiding  feeling,  and  a 
fancy  subjected  to  reason.  Let  us  compare  two  extreme 
points,  Spain  and  England.  Spain — a  land  of  green 
slopes  and  crystal  streams,  of  gentle  winters  and  refresh- 
ing summers,  of  silks  and  olives,  of  oranges  and  lemons ; 
yet  a  land  once  crimsoned  with  the  Inquisition,  and  now 
burdened  with  monks  and  nuns,  friars  and  hermits, 
brutality  and  bull-fights.  What  is  the  mode  of  her  in- 
tellect? Pensive,  gloomy,  indolent.  Though  above  that 
which  we  have  hitherto  been  contemplating,  yet  it  is  far 
below  what  it  should  be.  The  nation  without  canals, 
railroads,  steam-boats,  telegraphs,  and  with  scarce  a 
light-house  on  her  coast,  demonstrates  this  proposition. 
Let  us  not  be  told  that  all  this  is  because  her  rivers  are 
not  navigable  and  her  mountain  barriers  scarce  passable; 
for,  during  two  hundred  years,  Spain  was  the  mightiest 
power  in  Europe. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  England,  where  man  is  taught  to 
look  through  nature  up  to  God ;  where  he  is  emboldened 
by  his  Protestant  Bible-handling  faith  to  enter  into 
direct  audience  with  the  Almighty — the  land  emphat- 
ically of  Bibles  and  Bridgewater  treatises.  England — 
there  she  sits,  queen  of  the  seas,  gathering  jewels  for 
her  crown  from  every  shore,  and  floating  her  flag  around 
the  world  in  the  beams  of  a  ceaseless  morning.  There 
is  no  grand  conception  centering  in  Olympus  which  she 
does  not  realize.      Like  Juno,  she  fertilizes  the  earth 


228  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

beneath  her  furrow;  like  Vesta,  she  gathers  all  nations 
to  her  hearth-stone ;  like  Vulcan,  she  presides  over  the 
forges;  like  Neptune,  she  rules  the  seas;  like  Apollo,  she 
leads  the   muses;    like  Minerva,  she  sways  the  under- 
standing; like  Mercury,  she  is  the  patron  of  trade  and 
the  messenger  of  heaven  to  the  ends  of  the  earth ;  like 
Jupiter,  she  is  concerned  in  the  affairs  of  all  mankind. 
These  conceptions  are  not  merely  realized  but  exceeded ; 
for  what  is  Neptune  to  the  steam-ship,  Minerva  to  the 
press,   Hercules  to  gunpowder,  or  Mercury  to  the  tele- 
graph?    What  England  is,  so  is  her  first-born  daughter — 
North   America — which    exhibits    the    same    superiority 
over  southern  America  that  her  mother  does  over  Spain 
and  Italy.     Let  it  not  be  said  that  these  differences  are 
owing  to  race.     Lead  the  degraded  negro  up  to  the  sight 
of  the  one  living  and  true  God,  and  his  soul  kindles  with 
celestial  fire ;  his  mind  pants  for  development,  and  soon 
his  tongue  pours  forth  a   melody  and  an  eloquence  to 
which  his  native  heathen  valley  is  a  stranger.     So  let  the 
Caucasian  embrace  Paganism,  as  he  has  in  the  valley  of 
the  Indus,  and  he  sinks  into  inaction.     Nor  can  climate 
account  for    the  difference;    for   in   every   clime,    from 
Patagonia  to  Greenland,  from  Australia  to  the  Dofrafield 
Mountains,   the   Rose  of  Sharon   has  bloomed  with  an 
equal  beauty  and  an   equal  fragrance.     Nor  can  forms 
of  government  account  for  it;   for  the  Albigenses,  and 
Waldenses,   and  Huguenots,  under  the   most  cruel  and 
oppressive    despotism,    no    less    than    the    pilgrims    on 
Plymouth  rock,  by  simple  faith  in  God  became  great, 
and  firm,  and  glorious.     Nor  are  all  these  causes  together 
sufl&cient  to  account  for  it.     Go  from  Protestant  Ulster  to 
a  Catholic  county  in  Ireland,  or  from  a  Protestant  to  a 
Catholic  canton  in  Switzerland — climate,  race,  language, 
and  government  being  the  same — and  you  pass  as  from 
the  dark  ages  to  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century. 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  229 

To  all  this  it  may  be  replied  that  mind  in  Protestant 
countries  has  become  materialized;  that  attention  has 
been  turned  away  from  the  inward  to  the  outward  world ; 
that  physical  science  has  taken  the  place  of  mental  and 
moral ;  that  the  whole  subject  and  sphere  of  thought  is 
outside  of  human  nature.  But  is  not  the  cultivation  of 
nature  an  appointed  duty  of  man  ?  Are  not  a  nation's 
useful  and  ornamental  arts  the  signs  of  its  intellectual 
energies  and  the  tokens  of  its  progress  ?  Mind  was 
made  to  act  on  matter :  matter  is  the  ordained  mold 
of  its  conceptions.  As  God  expresses  his  mind  in  the 
forms  of  the  visible  universe,  so  must  man.  The  air, 
the  marble,  the  gold,  the  canvas — all  nature  stands  ready 
to  receive  the  impress  of  his  thoughts,  and  thereby  be- 
come more  useful  and  beautiful.  Steam-engines,  tel- 
egraphs, temples,  gardens,  monuments,  are  but  the 
embodiments  of  the  soul's  reflections.  Has  the  prog- 
ress of  science  diminished  the  moral  excellence  of  men, 
or  the  increase  of  activity  brought  on  a  decrease  of 
creative  genius?  Are  not  men  wiser  as  well  as  stronger? 
more  beneficent  as  well  as  more  capable?  more  conscious 
of  human  dignity  as  well  as  of  human  dominion  ? 

Thus  we  have  shown  that  a  nation's  idea  of  God  de- 
notes its  position  in  the  scale  of  intelligence;  and  that 
it  gives  the  type  to  an  individual's  and  a  nation's  mental 
character.  This  grand  idea  rules  the  world  of  mind. 
When  it  is  apprehended  in  all  its  power  and  perfection, 
it  turns  men  gradually  into  angels,  and  it  holds  angels  iu 
heaven.  Be  not  surprised  at  this  declaration.  Simplic- 
ity of  causes  reconciled  with  multiplicity  of  effects  is  the 
great  secret  of  the  Creator.  The  same  principle  that 
holds  the  sun  in  its  orbit  bows  the  dew-laden  cup  of  the 
lowliest  flower.  The  same  principle  that  holds  the  seas 
in  their  channels,  holds  the  blood  in  the  insect's  veins. 

Some  may  regard  my  theme  as  uninteresting.     Not  so 


230  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

would  Aristotle,  Plato,  Socrates ;  not  so  would  Verulam ; 
not  so,  I  trust,  do  my  readers.  Never  think  so  meanly 
of  your  souls  as  to  deny  them  the  privilege  of  dwelling 
upon  the  greatest  conceivable  theme;  of  feeling  the 
great  motive  which  secures  obedience  to  the  eternal  laws. 
He  who  created  all  things  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth, 
and  sustains  them  by  the  word  of  his  power,  should  be  in 
all  our  thoughts.  What  would  heaven  think  should  it 
be  told  that  there  is  a  periodical  on  earth  which  does  not 
write  of  God?  It  would  point  to  it  as  a  doomed  book. 
What  would  an  angel  think  if  he  were  invited  to  earth, 
and  allowed  any  theme  but  God  ?  He  would  tell  you  that 
this  is  his  only  theme — the  theme  which  raises  his  wings, 
and  swells  his  heart,  and  tunes  his  harp,  and  fills  his 
everlasting  song — the  theme  all  over  his  native  hills  of 
light  and  glory — the  fountain  of  its  eternal  Niagara 
of  praise,  that  is  like  the  voice  of  many  waters  and 
mighty  thunderings;  and  if  it  did  not  suit  you  he  would 
spread  his  wings  and  leave  you. 

Reader,  if  my  views  be  correct,  you  may  easily  know 
when  you  have  a  just  idea  of  the  Creator.  Ask,  does  it 
live?  does  it  send  throbbing  pulses  through  the  breast? 
does  it  quicken  intellect,  bind  passion,  strengthen  will, 
string  nerves  ?  does  it  bring  up  from  the  heart,  each  day, 
a  deeper  '^gloria  in  excelcis"  and  plant,  each  night,  a 
new  Ebenezer? 

Atheism  is  stagnation.  True,  in  our  own  days  it 
boasts  of  an  anti-theological  science ;  and  it  trumpets 
this  forth  in  such  a  way  as  to  show  that  it  never  pretended 
to  science  before;  that  the  world  does  not  expect  science 
of  it  now;  that  it  is  and  always  has  been  regarded  as  in- 
capable of  producing  any  thing  but  negations. 

There  is  a  Pantheism  prevailing.  It  speaks  reverently 
and  poetically,  and  often  piously,  of  God ;  but,  then,  it  says 
there  is  as  much  of  a  God  in  a  chair  as  there  is  on  the 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  231 

throne  of  heaven.  What  is  the  effect  of  such  a  view? 
If  God  is  matter  and  matter  is  God,  then,  surely,  we  may 
add,  with  Pascal,  "  It  is  no  matter  whether  there  is  any 
God  at  all.'^  There  is  another  form  of  it  which  teaches 
that  God  is  the  issue  of  the  human  soul;  that  he  is  a 
mere  process,  and  that  process  identical  with  the  evo- 
lution of  human  ideas.  What  death  to  thought,  to 
aspiration,  is  such  a  doctrine  ?  Under  its  influence  how 
would  a  man  preach  ?  As  a  policeman  walks  his  beat  or 
a  merchant  fulfills  his  bargain.  Never  could  he  raise  to 
their  feet  an  audience  of  French  nobility,  as  did  Massil- 
lon;  or  spread  a  flame  of  holiness  over  two  hemispheres, 
as  did  Wesley;  or  excite  a  people  to  cry  out,  "Let  the 
sun  cease  to  shine,  but  let  not  the  lips  of  Chrysostom  be 
sealed."  Let  such  a  man  be  placed  in  the  battle-field; 
how  quickly  would  he  run  before  a  host,  such  as  Crom- 
well told  "to  trust  in  God  dnd  keep  their  powder  dry," 
and  whom  he  led  out  to  conflict  singing  hymns  of  praise! 
I  would  exchange  that  stupefying  Pantheism  for  any  god 
in  the  calendar  of  the  olden  Paganism.  Better,  far,  have 
Jupiter,  with  his  thunderbolt,  or  Neptune,  with  his  trident, 
or  Minerva,  with  her  shield  and  Pyrrhic  dance.  What 
view  does  such  a  philosophy  give  us  of  human  dignity? 
As  it  reduces  God  to  a  notion,  so  it  reduces  man  to  an 
atom.  He  is  merely  a  beast  standing  on  his  hind  legs, 
and  the  beast  is  but  a  bird  with  his  wings  turned  into 
fore  legs,  and  the  bird  is  but  a  fish  with  his  fins 
stretched  out,  and  his  scales  turned  into  feathers,  and 
the  fish  but  an  expanded  mollusk,  and  the  mollusk  but  an 
inflated  atom.  Behold,  then,  the  original  Adam  of  the 
modern  philosopher !  What  idea  of  education  does  it 
suggest?  The  experience  of  the  world  teaches  that  the 
way  to  improve  man  is  to  bring  him  in  contact  with 
superiors :  thus,  a  nation  becomes  civilized  by  colonies ; 
a  youth  becomes  learned  by  means  of  his  master;  a  man 


232  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

becomes  a  saint  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  the 
saint  matures  into  an  angel  by  beholding  as  in  a  glass 
the  glory  of  the  Lord.  This  philosophy  would  reverse 
the  process :  it  says,  develop  yourself,  solicit  intellect, 
strengthen  will,  call  out  emotion.  Alas!, we  have  tried 
this  long  enough  to  know  that  "out  of  the  heart  proceed 
evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulteries,  fornications,"  etc. 

Seeing  that  we  must  have  a  correct  idea  of  the  Al- 
mighty, how  important  is  the  mirror  of  his  word,  in  which 
alone  we  see  him  a  distinct,  personal,  intelligent,  infinite, 
holy,  and  eternal  Being,  whose  glory  the  heavens  declare, 
and  whose  name  "the  mountains  and  the  valleys  bless" — 
the  King  eternal,  immortal,  invisible,  dwelling  in  light  in- 
accessible. It  guards  the  idea  of  God  from  perversion 
by  forbidding  any  material  representation  of  it.  It 
guards  the  Divine  unity;  it  guards  the  Divine  inde- 
pendence both  of  fate  and  of  nature.  It  exhibits  God  as 
before  all  things,  as  existing  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
universe;  and  though  every-where  present,  not  so  pres- 
ent but  that  heaven  is  his  abode,  nor  so  present  as  he  is 
to  saints  and  angels.  And  though,  as  the  poet  has  truly 
and  beautifully  told  us, 

"He  warrus  in  each  beam,  refreshes  in  each  breeze, 
Glows  in  the  stars,  blossoms  in  the  trees. 
Lives  through  all  life,  extends  through  all  extent, 
Spreads  undivided,  operates  unspent," 

yet  he  is  himself  neither  light,  nor  darkness,  nor  blos- 
som, nor  breeze,  nor  matter,  nor  life,  but  in  all,  and  over 
all,  God  blessed  forever.  It  presents  him  in  the  most 
endearing  relations  as  the  Father  of  mercies  and  of  men, 
and  it  alone  invites  us  to  reconciliation,  and  communion, 
and  fellowship  with  him.  May  you,  reader,  always 
breathe  in  this  deep  universe,  filled  to  overflowing  with 
God,  without  ever  having  a  doubt  of  his  being  !  Re- 
member  the  words  of   Lord   Bacon:    "I  would  rather 


RELIGION    AND    EDUCATION.  233 

believe  all  the  fables  in  the  Legend,  and  the  Talmud,  and 
the  Koran,  than  believe  that  this  universal  frame  is  with- 
out mind."  May  the  image  of  God,  beheld  in  the  face 
of  Jesus  Christ,  grow  more  distinct  and  glorious  in_  your 
minds,  day  by  day,  so  as  to  afford  you  a  solid  rest  amid 
all  vicissitudes;  a  constant  joy  in  all  your  sorrows;  a 
hight,  and  depth,  and  length,  and  breadth,  both  to  your 
feelings  and  your  philosophy;  and  an  eternal  stimulus  to 
your  undying  energies  !  With  this  view  I  commend  to 
you  the  holy  oracles.  They  are  worthy  to  be  studied  for 
their  history,  their  poetry,  their  philosophy,  their  pre- 
cepts, and  their  moral  paintings;  for  who  has  ever 
reached  the  stern  majesty  of  Hebrew  prophets,  or  the 
transparent  beauty  of  Christian  evangelists? — but  chiefly 
do  I  commend  them  because  they,  they  only,  can  anchor 
your  souls  to  the  solid  rock  of  a  true  theology. 
20 


234  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


Il0ral  €Jjttati0n. 

ALL  agree  that  the  youth  of  our  land  should  be  pro- 
vided with  common  schools;  that  common  schools 
are  designed  to  educate;  that  education  means  develop- 
ment; and  that  it  should  embrace  the  whole  man. 

There  was  a  time  when  the  friends  of  education,  in 
their  care  for  the  mind,  lost  sight  of  the  body,  forget- 
ful that,  however  superior  the  spirit  may  be  to  its  earthly 
instruments,  its  outward  manifestations  are  through  the 
bodily  organs.  It  is  as  though  the  engineer,  impressed 
with  the  distinctness  and  power  of  steam,  should  be  un- 
concerned with  the  machinery  by  which  it  is  applied. 
Now,  however,  it  is  understood  that  the  teacher  should 
possess  a  competent  knowledge  of  anatomy,  physiology, 
and  hygiene,  in  order  that  he  may  give  judicious  direc- 
tions in  the  construction  and  furniture  of  his  school- 
room; in  regulating  its  supplies  of  heat,  light,  and  at- 
mosphere; in  adjusting  the  tasks  and  punishments  of 
his  pupils,  and  in  superintending  their  diet  and  exer- 
cises; that  he  should  not  only  be  able  to  give  such  direc- 
tions, but  also  satisfactory  reasons  for  them ;  to  illustrate, 
in  a  familiar  manner,  the  general  laws  of  digestion,  cir- 
culation, respiration,  etc.,  and  to  show  their  practical 
application.  For  want  of  such  qualifications  in  the 
teachers  of  other  days,  many  are  weak  and  sickly  among 
us,  and  many  regard  education  through  a  cloud  of  gloomy 
and  painful  associations.  Once  it  was  supposed  that  edu- 
cation consisted  in  so  many  Quarters  of  grammar,  and  so 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  235 

many  of  geography,  and  so  on.  Now  it  is  generally  ad- 
mitted, that  while  we  teach  the  child  arithmetic,  gram- 
mar, geography,  civil  history,  and  the  general  principles 
of  philosophy  and  natural  history,  we  are  to  bear  in 
mind  that  these,  after  all,  are  but  means,  not  the  end; 
that  the  great  object  of  the  educator  is  to  teach  the 
child  to  think.  Let  the  pupil  form  the  habit  of  patient,  i 
clear,  consecutive  thought,  and  you  may  let  him  go.  ( 
ThinJcing,  not  knowing,  makes  the  great  distinction  be-  [ 
tween  the  mind  of  the  philosopher  and  that  of  the  fool  ;J 
the  ability  to  reason  is  the  measure  of  mental  excellence, 
the  instrument  of  high  achievement.  'Tis  this  that 
scales  heaven,  and  fathoms  hell,  and  compasses  space; 
that  outstrips  the  lightning,  and  speaks  like  the  voice  of 
God;  that  defies  volcanoes-  and  storms;  and  laughs  at 
warrants  and  executions  in  its  burning  path.  'Tis  this, 
despite  all  conquerors,  to  which  God  has  given  the  do- 
minion of  the  world,  as  by  a  covenant  of  salt.  It  is  a 
trite  observation  that  studies  should  be  so  arranged  that 
all  the  mental  faculties  may  be  developed  and  duly  bal- 
anced. In  cases  of  eccentricity  this  is  necessary  to 
guard  against  monstrosity,  and  in  other  cases  it  is  very 
well.  But  ordinarily  we  need  have  no  painful  concern 
in  this  matter.  To  prepare  men  for  the  various  pursuits 
of  life  their  minds  are  constituted  differently;  and  the 
school  should  not  be  a  bed  of  Procrustes.  If  we  can 
form,  in  each  case,  a  habit  of  vigorous  mental  action,  we 
can  safely  trust  to  social  intercourse  and  the  daily 
scenes  of  the  world's  stage  to  regulate  and  moderate  it. 
We  are  too  much  disposed  to  regard  the  faculties  of 
the  mind  as  separate  and  independent,  like  oxygen  and 
hydrogen  in  the  compound  blow-pipe;  whereas,  they  are 
but  the  different  modes  in  which  the  mind  acts,  and  are 
only  treated  separately,  in  scientific  works,  for  the  sake 
of  convenience.     In  most  cases,  the  soul,  in  performing 


236  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

one  operation  performs  others  also.  How  can  we  have 
an  act  of  judgment,  for  example,  without  attention,  ab- 
straction, memory,  association,  etc.?  In  strengthening 
one  power,  then,  we  may  strengthen  all;  let  us,  there- 
fore, hail  with  delight  any  evidences  of  genius  in  the 
pupil  in  whatever  form  it  may  appear. 

Next  to  the  education  of  the  mind  comes  the  devel- 
opment and  training  of  the  taste,  and  the  sensibilities, 
both  natural  and  moral.  All  are  agreed  up  to  this  last 
point.  When  we  come  to  moral  nature  there  is  a  class 
that  cries,  "  Hold,  you  may  teach  the  temporal  but  not 
the  spiritual;  all  moral  and  religious  instruction  must 
be  excluded  from  the  common  school."  Of  this  plan  I 
remark  that  it  is  neither  feasible  nor  allowable ;  and  to 
the  illustration  of  this  proposition  I  will  devote  the  re- 
mainder of  this  paper. 

That  the  scheme  is  not  practicable  is  evident,  first, 
from  the  very  nature  of  education,  which  consists  in 
leading  out  the  mind,  encouraging  inquiry,  nourishing 
free,  bold,  independent  thought.  Will  you  draw  lines 
around  an  awakened,  emancipated,  aspiring  spirit,  and 
say,  hitherto  shalt  thou  come  and  no  further  ?  More  espe- 
cially, can  you  restrain  it  from  those  great  subjects  which 
have  been  the  themes  of  ages,  which  have  absorbed  the 
minds  of  Moses,  and  Socrates,  and  Paul,  and  Plato,  and 
which  have  controlled  the  march  of  human  events?  As 
well  attempt  to  hold  the  lightning  as  it  leaps  from 
heaven  to  earth,  or  from  earth  to  heaven.  From  every 
figure  on  his  blackboard,  from  every  crown,  or  cross,  or 
flag  upon  his  outline  map,  the  boy,  that  is  a  hoy,  may 
push  his  inquiring  way  downward  to  conscience,  or  up- 
ward to  God.  Vain  to  cry,  halt,  when  he  has  pushed 
you  to  the  line  of  things,  moral  and  religious. 

Second,  from  the  connection  between  the  different 
powers  of   the  soul,  intellectual,  sensitive,  moral,  and 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  237 

voluntary.  This  is  so  intimate  that  you  can  not  train 
one  class  of  faculties  without  training  others.  The  cel- 
ebrated Dr.  Hunter,  who  was  noted  alike  for  the  solidity 
of  his  judgment  and  the  facetiousness  of  his  expres- 
sions, once  remarked — glancing  at  certain  theorists — 
"  Gentlemen,  physiologists  will  have  it  that  the  stomach 
is  a  mill,  others  that  it  is  a  fermenting  vat,  others  again 
that  it  is  a  stew-pan  ;  but  in  my  view  of  the  matter,  it  is 
neither  a  mill,  nor  a  fermenting  vat,  nor  a  stew-pan,  but 
a  stomach,  gentlemen,  a  stomach."  So  of  the  human 
mind — it  is  neither  a  reasoning,  nor  a  feeling,  nor  a  con- 
scientious apparatus,  but  a  mind,  gentlemen,  a  human 
mind.  Suppose  we  adopt  the  phrenological  hypothesis, 
and  ascribe  to  each  of  its  powers  a  separate  organ ;  still, 
it  must  be  conceded,  they  are  intimately  connected,  so 
that  you  could  not  influence  one  without  affecting  others. 
They  must  be  moi-e  closely  connected  than  the  different 
organs  of  the  body,  yet  you  can  not  seriously  affect  one 
bodily  organ  without  affecting  more  or  less  every  other. 
There  is  a  great  sympathetic  nerve  which  binds  them  all 
together,  and  teaches  each  to  weep  with  them  that  weep, 
and  rejoice  with  them  that  rejoice  in  the  same  system. 
An  injury  upon  the  surface  of  an  extremity  may  carry 
dismay  to  the  vitals.  Moreover,  the  different  organs  of 
the  body  depend  upon  each  other.  Suppose  you  determ- 
ine that  you  will  watch  exclusively  over  the  brain ;  soon 
may  you  look  for  cerebral  disorder.  Well,  you  interro- 
gate the  troubled  organ.  Why,  dear  Brain,  are  you  so 
perverse  ?  how  is  it,  after  all  the  care  that  I  have  be- 
stowed upon  you,  and  the  exclusive  affection  I  feel  for 
you,  that  you  are  radiating  such  a  half-elaborated,  perni- 
cious, nervous  influence  over  the  whole  body,  distressing 
every  nerve  and  confusing  every  organ  ?  "  Well,"  the 
poor  brain  replies,  "  I  am  not  to  blame ;  I  am  not  un- 
mindful of  my  functions,  nor  insensible  to  your  goodness, 


238  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

but  the  heart  has  been  pumping  up  lately  such  a  cor- 
rupted stream  of  blood  that,  with^all  my  extra  exertions, 
I  am  not  able  to  manufacture  out  of  it  any  thing  better 
than  the  vicious,  maddened  stuff  that  I  send  out  through 
the  nerves."  Well,  go  now  to  the  heart.  Heart,  what 
is  the  reason  that  you  have  sent  such  an  impure  current 
to  the  brain  of  late?  "It  is  no  fault  of  mine,"  replies 
the  heart;  ''I  pump  up  as  good  a  blood  as  I  receive;  1 
wish  it  were  better,  I  am  sure;  for  it  is  painful  to  work 
in  such  a  fluid,  and  if  some  change  is  not  made  soon  I 
shall  get  sick.  Ask  the  lungs  why  they  send  such  a  poor 
article  to  me."  Well,  Lungs,  what  does  this  mean? 
"  Blame  not  me ;  I  expand  and  contract,  as  I  have  al- 
ways done,  and  air  the  blood  as  much  as  ever — the  fault 
is  lower  down.  Ask  the  vena  cava  why  it  sends  up  such 
miserable  venous  blood?"  Vena  cava,  how  is  it?  "I 
furnish  as  good  an  article  as  I  can,  considering  the 
abominable  chyle  which  I  get.  Gro  to  the  stomach,  and 
you  will  see  what  is  the  matter."  Well,  Stomach,  the 
whole  system  is  in  disorder,  and  the  fault  is  traced  to 
you.  "  I  own,"  says  the  stomach,  "  that  the  trouble  is 
with  me ;  nevertheless  I  do  the  very  best  I  can  with  the 
materials  I  have,  but  they  are  very  unsuitable;  and, 
moreover,  with  the  water  in  this  neighborhood,  there  is 
often  mixed  a  strange  poison  which  bewilders  me,  and 
sometimes  turns  me  upside  down."  Thus,  a  little  defal- 
cation or  derangement  in  one  of  the  partners  carries 
bankruptcy  and  confusion  into  the  whole  bodily  firm. 
This  will  serve  as  an  illustration.  The  different  organs 
of  the  spiritual  system  —  intellectual,  sensitive,  and 
moral — are  also  united  by  sympathy  and  mutual  depend- 
ence ;  if  you  get  one  of  them  into  the  habit  of  vigorous 
and  healthy  action,  the  others  will  assume,  to  some  ex- 
tent, a  corresponding  action.  Quicken  the  heart,  for  in- 
stance, and  intellect  and  conscience  will  wake  up ;  touch 


MOEAL    EDUCATION.  289 

conscience,  and  intellect  and  heart  will  leap;  arouse  in- 
tellect, and  its  associated  sensibilities  will  be  more  or  less 
stirred.  With  what  godlike  energy  does  even  a  sluggish 
mind  move  when  brought  under  the  power  of  some  strong 
passion !  How  often  does  the  Gospel,  by  quickening 
conscience,  exalt  reason  !  In  proportion  as  it  is  believed 
by  a  man  or  a  people,  both  heart  and  intellect  beat  more 
quickly,  and  the  individual  and  the  state  steadily  ascend. 
So,  too,  improve  intellect,  and  you  improve,  as  a  general 
rule,  conscience.  I  grant  there  are  exceptions  :  quick- 
ened intellect  may  be  attended  with  dormant,  rather,  per- 
verted conscience ;  but  this  only  proves  that  something 
more  than  intellect  is  necessary,  not  that  quickened  in- 
tellect does  not  tend  to  quicken  conscience.  There  is 
also  mutual  dependence  among  the  different  powers. 
Confine  attention  to  intellect  and  it  may  act  perversely, 
not  because  it  does  not  act  strongly,  but  because  it  has 
not  right  premises.  The  most  important  truth  is  moral, 
but  the  state  of  the  heart  materially  affects  the  intel- 
lect in  its  efforts  to  acquire  it :  it  constitutes  a  medium 
through  which  it  is  seen.  If  you  put  on  green  glasses, 
you  see  the  whole  creation  green ;  so  if  you  look  through 
a  green  heart,  you  see  the  whole  moral  world  tinged. 
Why  is  a  father  unfit  to  sit  in  judgment  on  a  son  ?  why 
has  a  prisoner  the  right  to  challenge  his  enemy  from  the 
jury-box?  why  is  it  so  hard  to  convince  the  miser,  how- 
ever strong  his  intellect,  of  the  necessity  for  charity?  or 
the  coward  of  the  necessity  for  battle  ?  or  the  sluggard 
of  the  necessity  for  action  ?  or  the  lover  of  a  wrinkle  in 
the  face  of  his  mistress  ?  The  heart  may  also  put  reason 
in  a  wrong  relation  to  truth ;  may  turn  it  away  from  the 
proof  J  may  even  silence  what  it  can  neither  escape  nor 
confute,  as  Wadsworth's  drummer  did  Fletcher's  reader. 
The  heart  must  be  clarified  before  the  intellect  can  have 
clear  vision  on  moral  mountains.     The  intellect,  more- 


240  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

over,  is  dependent  on  the  heart  or  conscience  for  impulse; 
without  feeling  it  would  act  to  no  purpose ;  the  stronger 
the  feeling  the  stronger  the  mental  action  :  hence  the 
superiority  of  conscience  as  a  motive  power. 

Suppose  we  pay  exclusive  attention  to  conscience  :  we 
may  make  it  as  tender  as  the  apple  of  the  eye,  and  yet 
be  miserable  offenders.  A  man  may  persecute  his  neigh- 
bor, sacrifice  his  child,  expose  his  father  to  perish,  and 
take  his  own  life,  and  in  all  this  think  that  he  is  doing 
God  service.  The  feelings  of  obligation  must  be  con- 
nected vrith  right  views  of  duty  before  we  can  go  into 
the  path  of  uprightness ;  therefore,  we  must  cultivate 
the  intellect — the  perceiving  power.  The  divisions, 
strife,  enthusiasm,  fanaticism,  bigotry,  etc.,  in  Christen- 
dom are  chiefly  owing  to  a  want  of  intellectual  training 
rather  than  a  want  of  religious  principle.  From  this 
correspondence  and  dependence  of  action  it  follows  that 
you  can  not  educate  one  part  of  our  nature  without  influ- 
encing others. 

But,  thirdly,  from  the  connection  between  truths,  the 
scheme  appears  impracticable.  Perhaps  there  is  not  an 
atom,  all  the  relations  of  which  can  be  described  by  a 
human  or  angelic  mind.  These  relations  run  backward 
and  forward,  upward  and  downward  in  a  series,  the  end 
of  which  God  only  knows.  So  with  phenomena :  a  spark 
falls  upon  a  shaving,  a  conflagration  ensues;  and  the 
whole  atmosphere  of  the  globe  is  so  affected  that  no  par- 
ticle of  it  sustains  the  same  relation,  or  will  sustain,  at 
any  time  hereafter,  the  same  relation  as  if  the  spark  had 
not  dropped;  and  as  to  other  results,  commercial,  intel- 
lectual, and  moral,  who  shall  trace  them?  So  with 
truths :  the  most  insignificant  is  a  member  of  a  great 
family,  to  every  member  of  which  it  stands  related. 
The  law  that  expands  a  bubble  propels  a  steam-engine ; 
the  principle  that  wafts  a  feather  wheels  the  planets. 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  241 

Who  shall  say,  when  he  introduces  a  truth  into  the  mind, 
where  it  shall  stop?  it  may  lead  that  mind  onward 
through  related  truths  forever.  But  let  us  apply  the 
remark.  How  can  you  teach  mental  philosophy  without 
affecting  the  heart,  directly  or  indirectly  ?  You  can  not 
dodge  the  questions  of  the  immateriality  and  the  immor- 
tality of  the  soul,  the  freedom  of  the  will,  the  immuta- 
bility of  moral  distinctions;  and  to  discuss  them  would 
be  to  mine  in  the  depths  of  theology.  You  may  be  will- 
ing to  skim  the  superfices,  but  what  shall  keep  your 
students  from  the  profundities?  Nothing,  if  only  you 
have  educated  them.  Do  you  teach  the  history  of  philos- 
ophy? it  must  be  either  in  the  form  of  a  dry  genealogy 
or  a  warm  genesis  of  the  human  mind ;  if  the  former,  it 
is  a  misnomer  to  style  it  history  or  philosophy;  if  the 
latter,  you  must  go  with  your  pupils  to  the  depths  of 
heart  and  conscience.  Do  you  teach  rhetoric?  what 
more  interesting  or  fundamental  topic  does  it  embrace 
than  the  rules  of  evidence  ?  How  can  you  learn  to  per- 
suade without  learning  to  convince  ?  and  how  learn  to 
convince  without  treating  of  evidence?  and  how  treat  of 
evidence  without  bearing  upon  the  very  foundations  of 
the  Christian  faith?  According  as  you  instruct  upon 
this  point  will  your  pupils  be  inclined  to  receive  or  re- 
ject Christ,  or  prefer  this  or  that  creed  or  Church,  You 
may  not  intend  this  result,  you  may  not  trace  the  proc- 
ess; but  the  result  is  inevitable,  and  the  process  tracea- 
ble. Do  you  teach  logic?  you  may  easily  teach  it  so  as 
to  incline  the  pupil  either,  on  the  one  hand,  to  be  a 
sophist,  or,  on  the  other,  a  reasoner.  You  may  so  select 
his  authors  and  examples,  and  so  arrange  his  exercises  as 
to  give  him  a  bias  toward  either  Bacon  or  the  school- 
men. Though  the  principles  of  the  science  are  invaria- 
ble, their  applications  may  be  very  different,  and  so  may 
the  mental  habits  and  moral  results  to  which  those  appli- 
21 


242  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

cations  respectively  lead.  Perhaps  you  say  that  these  arc 
not  suitable  subjects  for  the  common  mind.  "Well,  lay 
them  aside.  History  is  certainly  fit  for  any  school,  but 
how  will  you  teach  it?  If  you  give  any  thing  more  than 
a  chronological  chart,  you  must  impart  much  moral  and 
religious  instruction.  Man  is  in  history,  God  is  in 
history.  You  must  treat  of  the  rise  and  fall  of  relig- 
ions as  well  as  empires;  of  dark  ages  and  light  ages;  of 
corruptions  and  reformations.  Will  you  shut  out  the  his- 
tory of  the  world,  and  open  only  the  history  of  our  own 
country,  which  can  scarce  be  said  to  have  a  history? 
Even  there  you  must  read  of  paganism,  and  Puritanism, 
and  ecclesiasticism,  and  Antinomianism,  and  Quakerism, 
and  witchcraft,  and  freedom,  and  slavery;  and  can  you 
be  silent  on  all  these  points,  even  under  the  probings  of 
vexatious  questions  ?  He  who  studies  history  studies  to 
little  profit  if  he  merely  mark  events;  he  should  trace 
them  to  causes,  should  analyze  and  generalize,  should  go 
from  effects  to  agents,  through  plans  and  purposes  to  mo- 
tives, and  through  motives  to  principles.  Do  so,  and 
where  are  you,  but  in  the  question  of  Divine  providence 
and  speculations  concerning  its  future  operations  and 
final  results?  Every- where  images  and  examples  rise 
upon  the  heart,  and  arguments  and  reasons  gather  over 
the  mind  to  teach  the  inevitable  ruin  of  vice  and  the 
final  triumph  of  virtue.  Who  has  not  heard  of  "But- 
ler's Analogy,"  which  proves  that  providence  and  relig- 
ion run  side  by  side  ? 

But  let  us  limit  the  studies  of  the  school  to  the  natural 
and  exact  sciences.  Even  here  we  may  not  be  able  to 
avoid  the  conscience  and  the  heart.  Moral  truth  may 
start  up  and  refuse  to  "down"  at  our  bidding.  Direct 
your  eyes  either  to  the  earth  or  the  heavens,  you  see  dis- 
plays of  wisdom,  power,  goodness :  these  are  abstracts — 
where    if  the   concrete  ?    these   are   attributes — where  is 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  243 

the  Being  to  whom  they  belong?  So  grand  the  demon- 
strations of  God  on  the  pages  of  modern  astronomy,  and 
so  simple  the  process  by  which  the  mind  may  ascend 
from  them  to  God,  that  a  great  man  has  pronounced  a 
halt  in  it  as  proof  of  insanity.  "The  undevout  astrono- 
mer is  mad."  Who  may  prevent  a  child  from  ascending 
from  creature  to  creator — from  exclaiming,  "Great  and 
marvelous  are  thy  works.  Lord  God  Almighty  !"  or  from 
descending  from  the  general  conclusion  to  specify  infer- 
ences: such  as,  "When  I  consider  the  heavens,"  etc.? 
From  masses  do  you  turn  to  atoms,  and  from  attractions 
at  sensible  distances  to  attraction  at  insensible.  Here, 
then,  is  chemistry.  One  of  its  first  truths  is  the  law 
of  definite  proportions — a  law  deemed  by  many  one  of 
the  clearest  demonstrations  against  Atheism  that  crea- 
tion affords.  To  some  minds  all  the  fires  of  the  crucible 
denote  the  finger  of  God.  Parke's  chenjical  catechism 
is  as  full  of  theology  and  thanksgiving  as  of  science. 
Perhaps  the  dryest  of  all  the  natural  sciences  is  anat- 
omy— it  is  a  valley  of  dry  bones — yet  to  an  ancient  anat- 
omist, Galen,  every  bone  of  the  skeleton  was  a  verse,  and 
every  joint  a  stanza  in  a  hymn  of  praise  to  God;  and  a 
modern  anatomist.  Sir  John  Bell,  has  written  a  treatise 
to  prove,  from  the  human  hand  alone,  the  being  and  nat- 
ural attributes  of  the  Almighty.  And  what  shall  we  say 
of  geology?  which,  affording  evidences  of  repeated  acts 
of  creative  power,  new  illustrations  of  Divine  goodness, 
enlarged  conceptions  of  Divine  plans,  conclusive  proof 
of  a  superintending  Providence  over  the  globe,  and  his 
special  interference  from  time  to  time  with  his  general 
arrangement;  and  which,  teaching  that  the  material  uni- 
verse had  a  beginning,  that  fire  and  water  are  the  chief 
agents  in  effecting  its  changes,  that  the  work  of  creation 
was  progressive,  that  man  was  the  last  of  the  animals 
created,  and  that  he  has  been  but  recently  introduced 


244  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

into  the  world,  has  important  connections  with  both  nat- 
ural religion  and  revealed.  Indeed,  all  the  natural  sci- 
ences have  relations  to  theology  at  all  points — they  are 
"Bridgewater  treatises."  God  is  the  center  and  circum- 
ference of  science.  Trace  any  ray  of  scientific  light  up- 
ward, or  trace  it  outward,  to  farthest  east  or  remotest 
west,  and  you  find  one  law,  one  God  and  Father  of  all, 
who  is  above  all  and  in  all.  What  shall  prevent  the 
pupil  from  crying  cut,  "Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy 
Spirit,  or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  ?"  Who 
shall  enable  us  to  imprison  our  pupils  in  spiritual  diving- 
bells,  by  which  to  shut  out  Him  in  whom  they  live  and 
breathe,  while  they  dive  into  the  boundless  ocean  of  his 
wisdom,  and  love,  and  power  ?  Suppose  we  lay  aside  the 
natural  sciences,  and  confine  the  studies  of  the  pupil  to 
reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic.  Well,  what  shall  we 
read?  what  shall  we  write?  what  example  shall  we  spread 
upon  the  blackboard?  Seeing  the  intimate  relations  of 
truth  you  must  draw  black  lines  around  almost  every 
page.  You  l  :ust  make  the  Index  Expurgatorius  as  long 
as  the  catalogue  of  books.  It  were  easy  to  write  copies 
that  might  set  the  heart  on  fire  :  such  as,  "All  men  are 
born  free  and  equal;"  "All  men  have  inalienable  rights, 
among  which,"  etc.  Ah !  that  et  castera  might  point 
the  hero's  sword  or  form  the  martyr's  heart.  It  is  al- 
ready undermining  all  thrones  but  God's.  Dr.  Chan- 
ning's  antislavery  feeling  was  kindled  by  one  of  his  earli- 
est copies,  which  was  in  these  words :  "All  men  are  free 
when  they  touch  the  soil  of  England."  "Jesus  Christ 
came'^  into  the  world  to  save  sinners/'  this  simple  line 
might  work  like  leaven  in  the  heart  of  the  child,  and 
through  it  in  the  heart  of  the  nation.  So  examples  in 
arithmetic  and  algebra  might  be  so  framed,  either  by  ac- 
cident or  design,  as  to  lead  to  the  solution  of  the  sub- 
limest  moral  problems. 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  245 

Fourthly.  The  absurdity  of  the  scheme  appears  from 
the  connection  between  the  different  methods  by  which  a 
teacher  influences  his  pupils.  What  is  the  teacher? 
When  he  teaches  arithmetic,  he  is  not  a  mere  slate; 
when  he  teaches  penmanship,  he  is  not  a  mere  handwrit- 
ing on  the  wall;  when  he  teaches  reading,  he  is  not  a 
mere  alphabet  moved  by  a  learned  pig;  he  is  a  man,  a 
whole  man,  and  nothing  but  a  man ;  and  though  you  may 
hire  him  for  intellectual  service  only,  yet  he  will  give  you 
moral  service  or  disservice.  You  can  not  have  one  side 
of  him  move  while  the  other  stands  still.  Many  men 
seem  to  be  under  the  delusion  of  a  certain  selfish  south- 
erner, who  had  a  wife  and  child,  and  owned  one-half  of  a 
negro  named  "Harry,"  and  who  prayed  that  God  would 
bless  him,  and  his  wife,  and  his  son,  and  his  son's  wife, 
and  his  half  of  Harry.  Men  generally  are  in  no  danger 
of  this  sort  of  delusion;  they  know  that  one  side  of  a 
man  can  not  well  go  without  the  other.  When  they 
employ  a  man  to  work  with  his  hands  they  do  not  expect 
him  to  leave  his  eyes  and  ears  at  home;  when  you  elect  a 
senator  you  know  that  you  do  not  merely  send  a  pair  of 
premises  to  Congress;  and  yet  in  regard  to  the  school- 
master we  seem  to  adopt  the  views  of  certain  philoso- 
phers, who  look  upon  the  brain  as  the  mind,  and  suppose 
that  while  one  side  of  it  is  asleep  the  other  may  be 
awake,  thinking  out  its  fractions  of  ideas  and  sentiments. 
The  teacher  has  a  moral  nature,  and  so  has  the  child;  I 
and  you  can  no  more  bring  them  together  without  having 
a  mutual  action,  than  you  can  bring  salt  and  water  to- 
gether without  having  a  saline  solution.  The  most  op- 
pressed man  is  still  a  man.  You  may  hitch  a  slave  to 
your  cart  with  the  ox,  or  chain  him  to  your  door  for  a 
watch-dog,  but  you  can  not  reduce  God's  child  to  man's 
brute;  he  will  still  operate  upon  your  moral  nature  and 
that  of  your  family — it  may  be  fearfully  and  forever.        ^ 


246  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

The  teacher  may  give  no  didactic  instruction  in  morals 
or  religion,  and  yet  be  a  powerful  moral  educator.  Vol- 
taire did  not  systematize  or  argue,  yet  he  did  more  to 
demoralize  Europe  than  all  its  philosophists.  He  wisely 
preferred  epigram  to  argument;  for  though  few  can  rea- 
son, all  can  laugh;  while  logic  is  soon  forgotten,  wit  can 
be  retained,  and  relished,  and  retailed;  and  though 
[  ridicule  is  not  the  test  of  truth,  yet  derision  is  a  practical 
\  fallacy,  as  it  leads  us  to  reject  without  examination  what- 
ever has  been  its  object.  Peter  Aretin  perhaps  subdued 
more  princes  with  his  lampoons  than  ever  did  Alexander 
with  his  sword.  If  the  -teacher  be  disinclined  to  wit,  he 
may  resort  to  sophistry;  he  need  not  mention  any  faith 
while  he  upsets  in  the  youth's  mind  all  faiths,  or  he  may 
supply  a  false  premiss,  and  let  the  mind  go  forward  in 
correct  reasoning  to  wrong  conclusions;  he  need  not  state 
his  false  premiss,  but  merely  allude  to  it  as  among  curi- 
osities or  axioms.  He  may  point  out  fallacies  in  the 
reasonings  of  others  in  such  a  way  as  to  mislead.  Every 
system  may  be  supported  by  invalid  reasoning  which 
is  supposed  to  be  correct  merely  because  it  leads  to  a  true 
conclusion.  Let  a  man  select  some  of  these  fallacies 
used  in  support  of  truth,  and  construct  similar  ones 
whose  inconclusiveness  shall  be  apparent,  and  he  need 
not  point  out  the  parallelism ;  he  may  leave  the  young 
mind  lo  scent  that  out,  and  trust  to  it  to  proceed  to  a 
fallacy  of  its  own;  namely,  that  of  denying  the  truth  of 
a  conclusion  because  certain  premises  used  to  prove  it 
are  false.  Men  may  argue  without  syllogisms,  may  wrap 
up  a  couple  of  premises  in  a  single  word,  and  bring  out  a 
conclusion  in  an  exhortation,  as  did  Pilate's  wife  in  a 
certain  message  to  her  husband.  They  may  reason  when 
they  appear  to  be  inquiring,  as  did  the  most  profound  of 
ancient  reasoners — Socrates — habitually.  Indirect  in- 
struction is  all  the  more  vivid  and  permanent  for  being 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  247 

indirect;  the  mind  goes  with  its  utmost  speed  when  the    > 
guide,  having  put  it  upon  the  track,  leaves  it  to  itself. 
An  explosion  is  none  the  less  sure  or  less  violent  because    > 
the  train  is  concealed.     Men  do  wrong  to  sneer  at  little   ^ 
errors  as  though  they  were  harmless.     A  little  unarmed    / 
boy  may  slip  a  bolt  at  midnight  and  let  armed  enemies 
within   the   citadel.     Hints   from   a  man   who   dare   not 
speak  out  may  not  be  powerless.     There  is  a  doctrine 
which  teaches  that  infinitesimal  doses  are  most  active. 
Whether  homeopathy  be  true  or  not,  the  soul  is  apt  to 
feel  moral  poison  even  in  its  decillionth  dilution,  espe- 
cially if  it  be  in  the  shape  of  forbidden  sugar,  for  the 
prohibition  produces  a  morbid  sensibility. 

But  let  us  suppose — what  is  impossible — that  you  could 
reduce  the  human  tongue  in  the  teacher's  mouth  to  a 
tinkling  cymbal.  He  would  still  have  a  face,  and  this 
would  be  something  more  than  a  picture.  Truth  and 
lies,  arguments  and  sophisms,  hints  and  inuendoes,  might 
play  around  it  like  lightning  on  the  face  of  the  thunder- 
aloud.  Suppose  you  cover  his  face  with  a  cowl,  he  will 
still  put  eloquence  in  his  attitudes  and  movements.  Who 
has  not  heard  of  the  pantomime?  The  pointing  of  a 
finger,  under  certain  circumstances,  might  arouse  an 
army,  and  make  all  the  diflference  of  defeat  and  victory. 
Lovers  may  court  by  signs  and  wonders.  If  the  teacher's 
person  were  concealed,  you  could  not  conceal  his  spirit. 
Ah,  how  often  does  this  silently  breathe  its  image  upon 
a  fellow-spirit!  In  utter  weakness  it  may  win  conquests, 
and  call  forth  the  exclamation,  "Though  your  arguments 
are  worthless,  your  spirit  has  subdued  me;"  and  spirit 
may  reach  spirit  even  though  both  be  deaf  and  dumb.  «' 

Then  there  is  a  power — from  which  no  man  can  divest 
himself — example — more  effective  than  any  other  method 
of  instruction,  and  which  no  caveat  can  cancel.  Who 
has  not  heard  of  the  fable  of  the  frog  that  exhorted  his 


248  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ofiFspring  to  walk  upriglit?  The  influence  of  a  master, 
however  he  may  be  trammeled,  "will  always  be  great. 
'^ Ipse  dixit,"  cries  every  qualified  instructor's  pupils  with 
something  of  the  same  feeling  as  the  pupils  of  Pythago- 
ras did.  They  are  taught  to  take  his  statements  in  some 
things;  they  find  them  reliable  so  far  as  they  can  verify 
them.  What  shall  prevent  them  from  transferring  the 
credibility  with  which  they  receive  one  class  of  his  dicta 
to  other  classes,  and,  a  fortiori,  what  shall  prevent  them 
from  feeling  the  influence  of  his  life?  You  might  as 
well  put  a  child  in  the  fire,  and  pray  that  he  may  not  be 
burnt,  as  put  him  under  the  care  of  a  vicious  master,  and 
hope  that  he  will  not  be  vicious.  The  contagion  of  ex- 
ample, like  the  malaria  of  cholera,  works  silently,  insen- 
sibly, constantly,  widely.  Even  men  can  scarce  resist 
it — how  then  shall  children?  Think  not  a  few  cautions 
will  save  them.  Behind  their  little  eyes  are  active 
brains;  and  little  as  you  think  of  it,  they  are  capable  of 
going  through  the  most  complicated  processes  of  reason- 
ing without  knowing  any  thing  of  logic.  They  read 
countenances,  they  trace  thoughts,  they  scent  inconsist- 
encies as  the  war-horse  snuff's  the  battle  from  afar.  What 
^  one  Roman  once  said  to  another  we  may  say  to  the 
teacher,  ''Thou  shalt  live  so  beset,  so  surrounded,  so 
scrutinized  by  vigilant  guards,  that  thou  canst  not  stir  a 
foot  without  their  knowledge.  There  shall  be  eyes  to 
.  detect  thy  slightest  movement,  and  ears  to  catch  thy 
Wariest  whisper;"  and  we  may  add,  if  thou  art  evil,  thy 
,'careless  look,  or  movement,  or  whisper  may  telegraph  lies 
/  in  immortal  souls  or  fire  trains  upon  the  track  of  distant 
magazines.  No  district  would  put  the  small-pox  in  the 
school-house,  yet  vaccination  is  some  protection  against 
it;  but  there  is  no  prophylactic  against  the  virus  of  a 
I  bad  example.  Equally  operative  is  a  good  example. 
^What  though  the  good  man  be  blindfolded  and  speech- 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  249 

less,  still  he  is  a  good  man.  As  well  suppose  that  your 
children  can  gambol  and  sing  upon  the  bosom  of  some 
flowery  mountain  without  breathing  its  fragrance,  and 
catching  and  bearing  onward  to  eternity  its  forms  of 
beauty,  as  that  they  may  sit  at  the  feet  of  a  good  man, 
day  by  day,  without  receiving  the  impress  of  his  soul. 
He  is  a  tree  planted  by  the  river's  side;  his  branches 
shall  spread,  and  his  beauty  be  as  the  olive-tree,  and  his 
smell  as  Lebanon ;  and  what  though  he  dare  not  speak, 
they  that  dwell  under  his  shadow  shall  return — they  shall 
revive  as  the  corn  and  grow  as  the  vine.  And  who  does 
not  know  that  the  impressions  made  upon  young  minds 
are  lasting,  like  the  image  which  Phidias  wished  to  per- 
petuate by  stamping  it  so  deeply  in  the  buckle  of  his 
Minerva  that  it  should  be  impossible  to  obliterate  it  with- 
out destroying  the  statue  itself!  "Take  heed  that  ye 
offend  not  one  of  these  little  ones." 

Fifthly.  We  may  show  the  impracticability  of  the 
scheme  we  are  considering  by  the  relation  which  the 
hearer  sustains  to  what  is  uttered.  I  know  that  as  in  the 
natural  world — as  a  general  rule — like  produces  like,  so 
in  the  moral  the  harvest  is  according  to  the  seed.  But 
as  in  the  former  climate,  and  soil,  and  prior  cultivation 
have  their  influence  upon  the  crop,  so  in  the  latter  con- 
stitution, and  education,  and  habits  of  association  affect 
the  germination  and  growth  of  that  which  is  sown.  In 
the  road  over  the  Andes  there  is  a  half-way  house  where 
the  ascending  and  descending  travelers  meet  for  refresh- 
ments. Here,  under  the  same  temperature,  those  who 
have  just  come  from  the  chilling  breezes  of  the  summit 
are  panting  with  the  heat,  while  they  who  have  just  quit- 
ted the  sultry  valleys  of  the  base  are  shivering  with  the 
cold.  Could  we  make  the  school-house  a  half-way  house 
on  the  Andes  of  thought,  so  various  are  the  moral  eleva- 
tions from  which  the  children  come,  that  what  might 


250  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

chill  the  hearts  of  some  might  inflame  those  of  others. 
In  any  Christian  city  you  may  find  some  families  who 
breathe  the  air  of  heaven,  and  others  who  are  as  perfectly 
Pagan  as  are  the  inhabitants  of  Shanghai,  and  to  whom 
a  just  conception  of  God  would  be  a  new  revelation.  A 
word,  an  allusion,  a  definition,  an  incident  that  might 
make  one  soul  glow  like  a  furnace,  might  leave  the  other 
like  ice. 

The  associating  principle  has  immense  influence  on 
minds;  it,  in  a  very  great  measure,  determines  the  eff'ect 
which  a  truth  shall  have.  Mr.  Hartley,  Sir  James  Mac- 
intosh, and  others  have  applied  it  to  explain  the  origin 
of  our  moral  sentiments.  It  is  that  property  of  our 
minds  by  which  any  object  or  state  of  consciousness — 
whether  image,  thought,  or  emotion — has  a  tendency  to 
recall  other  states  or  objects  of  consciousness  with  which 
it  has,  in  some  way,  been  previously  connected.  Every 
thought  received  into  the  mind  by  its  relations  of  time, 
place,  cause  and  eff"ect,  resemblance  or  contrast,  awakens 
a  train  of  thought  previously  in  the  mindj  its  influence, 
therefore,  depends  upon  the  stores  of  knowledge  which 
the  mind  possesses  and  its  associating  habits,  as  the 
result  of  the  chemical  test  depends  upon  the  aflBnities  of 
the  solution  into  which  it  is  dropped. 

Tell  me  that  I  shall  say  nothing  to  influence  the  moral 
character  of  those  under  my  care,  and  you  tell  me  non- 
sense.    As  well  say  that  I  shall  restrain  the  atmosphere 
from  bearing  my  breath  in  any  direction  except  toward 
the  north  pole.     They  who  forbid  moral  instruction  gen- 
erally overlook  the  fact  that  it  is  constantly  going  on. 
J  Though  the  school  might  not  teach  morals,  the  play- 
"    ground,  and  the  street,  and  the  market,  and  the  tavern, 
and  the  promenade,  and  the  auction-block,  will.     Though 
/  the  teacher  do  not  teach  the  written  decalogue,  there  are 
plenty  of  masters  to  proclaim  an  unwritten  one :  lust,  and 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  251 

stealing,  and  blood,  and  Atheism  preach  without  any 
license.  Let  the  youth  grow  up  and  choose  religion  and 
morals  for  himself,  and  he  may  choose  himself  into  the 
penitentiary  long  before  he  is  fully  grown.  Men  often 
complain  of  the  ease  with  which  the  young  mind  receives 
a  religious  bias^  but  they  ought  to  think  of  the  greater 
ease  with  which  it  receives  an  irreligious  one.  The  early 
age  at  which  vicious  tendencies  appear,  the  prevalence 
of  wickedness  all  through  the  world,  the  proueness  of 
nations  to  degenerate,  the  acknowledged  difficulties  of 
virtue,  and  the  shocking  details  of  human  history  are 
familiar  to  all,  and  show  that  without  resistance  the  soul 
must  be  borne  downward. 

But  if  any  still  object  to  the  education  of  a  child's 
moral  nature,  let  him  reflect  upon  that  nature.  It  is  the 
moral  nature  that  gives  us  ideas  of  right,  of  duty,  of 
obligation — next  to  that  of  God,  the  noblest  conceivable 
ones;  it  is  this  which  harmonizes  the  jarring  elements 
of  the  breast;  that  alone  can  gird  will  for  its  conflict 
with  passion,  arm  the  soul  with  strength  in  every  diffi- 
culty, patience  under  every  pain,  and  a  might  that  braves 
all  the  powers  of  hell.  The  idea  of  right  may  be  misdi- 
rected, the  impulse  to  right  may  be  misleading,  the  ap- 
probation of  conscience  may  be  misapplied,  but  still  that 
idea  is  the  greatest  of  all,  that  impulse  of  more  value 
than  the  universe,  and  that  approbation  the  richest  re- 
ward that  heaven  can  bestow.  The  moral  nature  is  neces- 
sary in  order  that  we  may  understand  the  character  of 
God  or  receive  a  revelation  of  his  will.  It  alone  enables 
us  to  ascend  the  scale  of  being.  However  undeveloped 
a  human  mind  may  be,  it  has  in  it  the  elements  of  all 
intellectual  combinations.  So  if  a  man  have  a  moral 
nature  he  has  the  elements  of  virtue,  and  may  erelong 
ascend  the  skies.  The  child  at  the  breast  that  has  but 
just  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  idea  of  right  is  a  nobler 


252  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

being  than  the  ancient  archangel  that  has  lost  it.  What 
though  that  archangel  penetrate  all  mysteries  and  obtain 
all  knowledge;  what  though  he  take  up  the  isles  in  his 
intellectual  scales  and  the  hills  in  his  mental  balances; 
what  though  he  measure  the  heavens  with  his  astronom- 
ical rod,  and  weigh  the  planets  with  his  mathematical 
steelyards;  what  though  he  combine  all  beauteous  forms/ 
and  utter  all  the  languages  of  earth  and  the  harmonies 
of  heaven;  yet  without  a  sense  of  right  to  guide  him  he 
would  be  no  angel,  no  man — only  an  awful  reasoning 
brute.  He  would  need  a  chain  to  bind  him;  and  the 
more  glorious  his  faculties,  the  stronger  must  be  that 
chain.  True,  he  might  be  governed,  as  a  tiger,  by  fear; 
but  how  else  than  by  chain  or  fear,  if  the  idea  of  right 
were  absent  from  his  soul?  We  could  admire  such  a 
being  as  we  admire  the  whirlwind  or  the  earthquake,  but 
we  could  not  love  him  any  more  than  we  could  the  steam- 
engine.  To  him  blasphemy,  perjury,  murder  would  be  as 
worship,  and  song,  and  beneficence.  Though  he  might 
remove  mountains,  he  could  not  be  "just;"  though  he 
might  sacrifice  himself,  he  could  not  be  benevolent; 
though  he  might  wallow  in  lust,  he  could  not  feel  shame; 
and  though  he  might  spread  ruin  around  him,  he  could 
feel  no  remorse;  he  could  have  no  aspiration  for  purity, 
no  drawing  toward  God.  So  would  a  Tnan  be  without  a 
moral  nature.  Unhappily  the  world  has  given  some  illus- 
ti-ations  of  this  remark.  Dr.  Rush  has  given  one  case, 
Dr.  Crawford  another,  and  Dr.  Haslem  a  third.  These 
are  familiar  to  the  readers  of  philosophy.  I  have  received 
from  a  colleague — Dr.  Merrick — the  following,  which  fell 
under  his  own  observation : 

"S.  G.  in  early  life  gave  singular  indications  of  a  total 
want  of  the  moral  nature.  Almost  as  soon  as  he  could 
speak  his  mouth  was  filled  with  cursing  and  deceit.  He 
would  steal  whatever  he  wished,  and  from  his  best  friends 


MOKAL    EDUCATION.  253 

as  soon  as  from  any  other;  but  he  was  careful  to  guard 
against  detection.  He  was  utterly  unmanageable  at 
school.  He  possessed  sound  intellect,  an  acute  appre- 
hension, a  good  judgment  on  all  but  moral  subjects,  and 
a  ready  memory;  but  his  passions  and  propensities  were 
without  any  regulator  except  his  sense  of  interest.  For 
amusement  he  set  fire  to  the  house  in  which  his  parents 
dwelt.  When  six  or  eight  years  old  he  took  a  dislike  to 
an  infant  brother,  which  on  one  occasion  he  threw  into 
the  hog-pen,  on  another  buried  alive  in  the  ground, 
and  on  another  threw  into  a  well,  the  child  strangely 
escaping  in  each  case  with  its  life.  As  he  grew  in 
years  he  grew  in  wickedness,  till,  when  about  eighteen 
years  old,  he  took  a  young  child  belonging  to  a  sister, 
and,  carrying  it  into  the  woods,  literally  pounded  it  to 
death.  For  this  he  was  sent  to  the  state  prison  at 
Charlestown,  Mass.  Here  he  refused  to  submit  to  dis- 
cipline, and  the  authorities  were  unable  to  subdue  him. 
He  had  never  labored,  and  declined  doing  the  tasks 
assigned  him.  As  a  last  resort,  he  was  placed  in  a  cis- 
tern, where  he  was  obliged  to  work  a  pump  or  allow  the 
water  to  rise  above  his  head;  he  allowed  it  to  rise,  and 
was  taken  out  only  when  life  was  nearly  extinct.  He 
was  at  length  pardoned.  He  had  now  become  an  incar- 
nate fiend.  Not  only  women  and  children  fled  from  his 
presence,  but  men.  Many  breathed  easier  when  he 
ceased  to  breathe.  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  saw  any 
thing  in  him  which  indicated  a  moral  susceptibility,  nor 
did  I  ever  hear  of  any  thing  that  did.  He  was  insensi- 
ble to  kindness,  and  incapable  of  any  attachment  except 
that  of  the  beast  for  his  fellows  of  the  pasture." 

Parent,  would  you  have  your  son,  for  a  score  of  years, 
or  even  a  year,  in  such  a  state  ?  Would  you  not  rather 
follow  him  to  the  grave  ?  Well,  remember  that,  though 
congenital  cases  of  this  kind  are  rare,  artificial  ones  are 


254  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

not — the  conscience,  by  bad  cultivation  or  neglect  of  cul- 
tivation, may  be  seared  as  with  a  hot  iron. 

God  has  given  you  a  son  with  all  the  elements  of  a 
man ;  day  by  day  you  watch  and  pray  over  his  unfolding 
powers,  and  rejoice  especially  to  mark  the  ideas  of  right, 
and  duty,  and  gratitude — the  feeling  after  God — the 
aspiration  after  a  better  state.  How  painful  would  it  be 
to  see  the  light  of  his  fine  eye  go  out,  or  the  power  to 
guide  his  feet  or  stretch  his  arms  fail,  and  then  to  see 
the  light  of  reason,  and  imagination,  and  memory  slowly 
extinguished,  leaving  him  an  idiot  in  your  arms!  But 
still  you  could  carry  him  with  tenderness  if  only  there 
were  left  the  idea  of  right,  the  power  to  love  the  good, 
to  be  grateful  for  your  kindness,  and  to  breathe  after  a 
higher  life.  But,  0,  to  see  the  light  of  conscience  go 
out,  and  though  the  form  of  man  be  left,  though  the 
intellect  blaze  forth  with  celestial  brilliancy,  yet  the 
power  of  self-government,  and  the  power  of  being  loved, 
and  the  connection  with  good  men  and  angels,  and  the 
sympathy  with  God,  is  gone.  Let  us  have  "blue  laws," 
puritanical  strictness,  any  thing,  rather  than  uneducated, 
neglected,  put-out  consciences. 

But  the  objectors  generally  say,  "Teach  morals,  if  only 
you  do  not  teach  dogmas."  But  what  morals  ?  Of 
course,  you  would  not  allow  us  to  teach  of  the  ground  of 
moral  obligation — perhaps  you  will  tell  us  of  the  rule  of 
life.  Shall  I  go  to  the  Spartan,  who  bids  the  youth  to 
steal,  and  praises  him  if  he  cover  the  theft;  who  allows 
a  large  margin  of  licentious  indulgence  to  the  husband, 
and  a  limited  compensation  to  the  wife;  who  permits  the 
master  to  kill  his  slave,  and  commends  him  if  he  commit 
suicide  himself?  or  shall  I  go  to  the  Roman,  who  says, 
"I  will  avenge  all  injuries  according  as  I  am  provoked 
by  any,"  and  who  thinks  no  lie  should  be  used  in  con- 
tracts?    Shall  I  go  to  the  Mohammedan,  who  tells  me  to 


MORAL    EDUCATION.  265 

give  alms  to  the  widow  and  orphan,  pray  five  times  a  day 
looking  toward  Mecca,  make  the  pilgrimage  to  the  Caaba, 
and  eat  no  meat  during  the  fast  of  the  Ramadan?  or  shall 
I  go  to  the  modern  moralists,  who,  having  burst  the  shack- 
les of  the  priesthood,  have  poured  such  floods  of  light 
upon  the  subject? 

"No,  no,"  I  fancy  the  objector  says,  "we  can  agree 
that  the  decalogue  and  our  Savior's  summary  of  it  in  the 
law  of  love  to  God  and  man  shall  be  taught  in  common 
schools  till  we  can  find  a  better  rule  of  life."  But  then 
how  shall  we  make  the  pupils  receive  it?  It  will  not  do 
to  say  that  it  is  the  law  of  God;  this  were  a  religious 
dogma.  Shall  we  get  the  civil  law  to  enforce  it  ?  But 
the  civil  law  can  not  control  the  heart,  and  it  is  the  mo- 
tive which  characterizes  the  moral  action.  Indeed,  the 
difficulty  always  has  been  more  in  the  absence  of  the 
right  impulse  than  the  right  rule. 

"Proba  meliora 
Deteriora  sequor." 

The  intellect  may  apprehend  the  rule  as  the  eyes  may  see 
the  road,  but  it  can  no  more  obey  than  the  eyes  can  walk. 
Well,  what  motives  shall  we  present?  Shall  we  say,  with 
one  philosopher,  there  is  a  God,  or,  with  another,  there  is 
no  God  ?  Shall  we  say,  with  Socrates,  that  God  overrules 
the  world,  or,  with  Aristotle,  that  he  is  not  concerned 
with  any  thing  beneath  the  moon?  Shall  we  suppose, 
with  Cicero,  that  there  is  a  future  state,  or,  with  Pliny, 
that  there  is  none?  Or  shall  we  find  our  motives  in 
modern  philosophers,  whose  creeds,  to  say  the  least,  are 
no  less  contradictory?  Suppose  we  teach  that  there  is 
one  God,  that  he  governs  the  world,  that  man  is  respon.si- 
ble  to  him,  and  that  there  is  a  future  state  of  rewards 
and  punishments :  these  are  all  dogmas,  and  the  skeptic 
insists  on  their  exclusion.     He  plants  himself  upon  the 


256  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

Constitution.  The  amendment  to  which  he  refers  was, 
however,  set  up  as  a  monument  against  religious  persecu- 
tion, not  as  a  caveat  against  religious  principle.  Had  it 
been  proposed  in  the  convention  which  framed  the  Con- 
stitution to  repudiate  the  Christian  religion,  or  to  express 
indiflFerence  to  all  religions,  or  to  forbid  the  inculcation 
of  Christian  doctrine  in  the  common  schools  of  the  re- 
public, who  that  knows  any  thing  of  our  fathers  does  not 
feel  certain  that  such  a  proposition  would  have  been 
promptly  rejected?  The  infidel  may,  however,  go  below 
the  Constitution,  and  insist  that  society  has  no  right  to 
require  him  to  pay  for  any  thing  which  is  not  essential  to 
its  existence.  But  are  not  religious  principles  essential 
to  society?  Without  it,  where  can  you  find  a  sufficient 
sanction  for  law,  especially  in  a  republic?  If  we  are  to 
have  a  religion,  we  are  shut  up  to  the  Christian  religion. 
We  have  too  much  intelligence  to  adopt  any  other.  And, 
surely,  there  is  no  reason  to  complain  when  the  public 
teachers  inculcate  only  those  leading  truths  of  the  recog- 
nized religion  of  the  nation,  which  breathe  in  the  na- 
tional spirit,  mold  the  national  mind,  direct  the  march  of 
national  events,  are  recognized  the  world  over  as  the  lead- 
ing principles  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  which  all  expe- 
rience shows  are  the  stability  of  the  times. 

I  grant  there  is  a  difficulty  in  thus  limiting  our  relig- 
ious instruction.  But  it  may  be  met  by  a  judicious 
selection  of  teachers.  Let  them  be  men  of  true  good- 
ness and  of  enlarged  views. 

The  difficulties  spoken  of  are  not  peculiar  to  common 
schools.  The  state  interferes  with  morals  and  religion. 
It  passes  laws  against  profanity,  murder,  adultery,  polyg- 
amy, in  disregard  of  the  Atheist,  the  Pagan,  the  perfec- 
tionist, and  the  Mormon,  who  respectively  may  feel  con- 
scientiously bound  to  blasphemy,  infanticide,  the  violation 
of  the  marriage  vow,  and  a  plurality  of  consorts.     The 


MORAL    EDUCATION.     '  257 

state  also  recognizes  great  religious  principles.  In  her 
judicial  oaths,  in  her  public  fasts  and  thanksgivings,  in 
her  designation  of  time,  in  her  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath, in  all  the  branches  of  the  government,  she  recog- 
nizes the  being  and  attributes  of  God,  his  providence 
over  the  earth,  and  the  redemption  of  the  world  by  Jesus 
Christ.  Should  she  cease  to  do  so  she  would  practically 
ordain  Atheism.  You  may  say  give  us  neither  Atheism 
nor  Deism,  Christianity  nor  Rationalism,  in  the  govern- 
ment, as  though  you  could  separate  the  legislation  of  a 
people  from  its  religious  and  moral  ideas.  You  might  as 
well  attempt  to  separate  the  Mississippi  from  its  tribu- 
taries. 

Well,  as  much  religion  as  we  have  in  the  government 
we  may  surely  have  in  the  school.  There  is  one  question 
to  which  I  would  like  to  devote  attention  if  I  had  space. 
May  we  not  safely  intrust  religion  to  priests  and  parents? 
If  so,  although  we  may  admit  that  it  is  necessary  to  gov- 
ernment, it  may  not  be  allowable  in  schools.  Preaching 
comes  too  late — after  moral  character  is  in  a  great  meas- 
ure formed;  and  if  any  one  would  trust  parental  instruc- 
tion, let  him  consider  the  characteristics  of  this  restless, 
speculative,  money-getting,  moving,  heterogeneous  people. 
The  school-house  is  the  great  fountain  of  national  char- 
acter, and  sends  forth  sweet  or  bitter  waters  through  all 
the  streams  of  the  nation's  thought.  It  must  be  in  the 
hands  of  either  religious  or  irreligious  men.  Let  it  fall 
into  the  latter,  and  Cataline  is  at  the  gate  of  our  Home. 
22 


968  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


THAT  we  may  keep  within  proper  limits,  let  us  confine 
ourselves  to  two  inquiries :  How  shall  we  read  ?  and 
why?  And,  first,  how?  My  answer  is,  with  scrutiny, 
reflection,  and  appropriation. 

I  say  with  scrutiny.  And  this  remark  is  not  unneces- 
sary, for  often  a  book  is  used  to  dissipate  weariness,  fill  up 
a  vacant  hour,  or  direct  our  attention  from  subjects  which 
might  lead  us  to  laborious  thought.  That  there  are  oc- 
casions when  books  may  properly  be  used  in  this  way  I 
do  not  deny;  but  books  suitable  for  such  purposes  hardly 
deserve  that  name :  let  them  be  ranked  with  toys — well 
enough  for  the  child,  the  valetudinarian,  the  way-worn, 
and  the  poor,  bewildered  one  who  wanders  on  the  brink 
of  derangement.  I  speak  now  of  serious  reading,  which 
ought  always  to  be  an  exercise  of  thought.  If  you  find 
your  mind  unengaged,  lay  your  book  down,  lest  you  form 
a  habit  of  mental  supineness.  If  it  is  of  great  import- 
ance, take  it  up  again,  but  not  till  you  have  called  your 
soul  to  account  for  its  listlessness.  Many  often  read  even 
the  Bible  merely  to  satisfy  a  tender  conscience,  or  con- 
form to  a  commendable  habit,  till  at  length  it  produces 
no  more  impression  upon  them  than  blank  paper.  If 
they  were  to  pause,  search,  study,  j^ray,  over  each  verse, 
or  if  they  were  to  read  it  in  the  original  language,  espe- 
cially if  they  were  under  the  necessity  of  tracing  words 
to  their  roots,  of  declining  nouns  and  conjugating  verbs, 
it  would  be  a  new  revelation  to  them. 


MISCELLANEOUS    BEADING.  259 

To  read  with  scrutiny  implies  attention — an  active, 
fixed,  penetrating  state  of  mind,  which  should  be  di- 
rected to  the  words,  the  thoughts,  the  object,  and  the 
spirit  of  the  author.  We  can  not  apprehend  ideas  with- 
out understanding  words,  for  it  is  only  by  words  that  we 
can  either  think  or  receive  thought,  or  convey  it.  Many 
who  read  words  which  they  can  not  define,  suppose  they 
understand  them,  more  especially  if  such  words  are 
familiar  to  them.  They  may,  indeed,  by  a  sort  of  in- 
stinct, and  they  may  not.  If  they  do,  it  is  only  by  sup- 
plying conjecturally  the  words  not  defined.  In  matters 
of  importance  it  behooves  us  to  be  sure  that  we  are  right. 
Most  words  have  synonyms;  but  if  they  have  been  cor- 
rectly used,  they  can  not  well  be  exchanged  for  others. 
Let  us  see  that  we  give  to  each  word  not  merely  the 
right  meaning,  but  the  right  shade  of  meaning.  And 
here  you  will  mark  one  of  the  great  advantages  of  clas- 
sical study;  it  directs  attention  closely  to  words;  it  qual- 
ifies us  to  trace  their  relations;  it  habituates  us  to  scan 
their  uses.  You  will  not  infer  that  we  are  to  define  all 
our  words,  but  that  we  are  to  be  capable  of  defining 
them.  We  must  attend  to  construction,  no  less  than 
words.  The  same  words  may  be  arranged  so  as  to  con- 
vey truth,  or  falsehood,  or  nothing  at  all,  of  which  we 
have  many  examples  in  the  responses  of  heathen  oracles. 
How  often  do  we  read  on  carelessly!  If  we  understand, 
very  well;  if  not,  just  as  well;  if  we_get  a  meaning  that 
satisfies  us,  what  matter  whether  it  is  our  own  or  the 
author's !  How  difl"erently  do  lawyers  read  deeds  and 
wills,  replications  and  declarations,  statutes  and  decis- 
ions; the  dotting  of  an  i  or  the  tense  of  a  verb  may 
make  all  the  difference  between  defeat  and  victory. 
They  relate  in  classic  story  that  a  client  returned  to  his 
lawyer  a  speech  that  he  had  written  for  him  to  read  to 
the  jury,  saying  that  when  he  first  read  it  he  thought  it 


260  EDUCATIONAL     ESSAYS. 

perfect ;  when  he  read  it  the  second  time  he  began  to 
doubt;  and  when  he  read  it  the  third  time  he  thought  it 
miserably  poor.  "You  fool,"  said  the  lawyer,  "are  you 
going  to  read  it  to  the  jury  three  times?"  Most  authors 
write  for  the  world's  first  reading,  and  the  world  rarely 
gives  them  a  second.  In  general,  books  are  read  superfi- 
cially; if  addressed  to  the  imagination  and  the  passions, 
because  it  is  useless  to  fathom  them ;  if  addressed  to  the 
reason,  because  it  is  difficult  to  do  so ;  if  of  irreligious 
character,  because  they  fall  in  with  the  current  of  human 
thought  and  feeling;  and  if  of  opposite  tendency,  be- 
cause they  are  unwelcome  to  the  heart.  How  many  sub- 
lime passages  in  the  prophets,  the  Psalms,  the  evangel- 
ists, are  of  no  meaning,  because  we  do  not  make  our- 
selves acquainted  with  their  force  !  Let  us  give  every 
book  a  third  reading,  or,  at  least,  its  equivalent,  before  a 
final  passage.  Hence,  it  would  be  well  for  us  to  have 
always  upon  the  table  an  English  dictionary,  and  a  Bio- 
graphical, a  Geographical,  and  a  Scientific  one,  that  we 
may  understand  the  allusions  and  feel  the  full  power  of 
the  author.  A  good  book  read  with  constant  references, 
whenever  necessary,  to  maps,  history,  and  authority,  is 
worth  a  cart-load  read  superficially;  it  exercises  our 
highest  faculties,  extends  the  circle  of  our  information, 
and  revives,  deepens,  and  applies  knowledge  previously 
acquired.  From  the  ideas  of  the  author  we  must  ascend 
to  his  design.  Many  have  read  Homer's  Iliad,  for  ex- 
ample, without  ever  comprehending  its  purpose;  yet  it  is 
not  till  we  see  the  lesson  it  is  designed  to  impress — the 
importance  of  fraternal  union — that  we  can  fully  appre- 
ciate the  great  poet's  power.  How  can  we  judge  of  a 
book  without  considering  the  intention  with  which  each 
illustration,  argument,  deduction,  and  figure  is  intro- 
duced, and  the  relation  it  bears  to  the  writer's  ultimate 
purpose?     A  thing  absolutely  strong  may  be  relatively 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  261 

weak;  a  thing  absolutely  impotent  may  be  relatively 
mighty;  a  strong  chain  may  be  rendered  useless  by  one 
missing  link;  a  feeble  beam  may  become  powerful,  if  it 
leap  out  of  the  timber  in  answer  to  the  stone  that  cries 
out  of  the  wall.  Nor  should  we  fail  to  consider  the 
spirit  of  the  author — the  habitual  nature  of  his  feelings, 
and  their  particular  state  when  he  penned  his  produc- 
tion. Thus  the  spirit  of  Shakspeare  is  genial;  of 
Young,  gloomy;  of  Milton,  grave;  of  Byron,  bitter  and 
malignant.  Yet  no  one  of  them  has  written  all  his  works 
in  the  same  mood.  Compare,  for  example,  the  Don  Juan 
and  the  Hebrew  Melodies.  Without  appreciating  the 
spirit  of  an  author,  we  can  neither  understand  the 
meaning,  nor  measure  the  intensity,  nor  fix  the  compre- 
hension, which  we  should  ascribe  to  his  expressions. 
The  same  words  are  of  far  different  meaning  and  force  in 
the  mouth  of  anger  and  the  mouth  of  love;  the  same 
phrase  in  Solomon's  Song,  and  in  Moore's  Melodies  might 
inspire  feelings  as  different  as  would  an  angel  in  light 
and  a  woman  in  scarlet.  There  is  one  book  which,  in 
consequence  of  its  antiquity,  its  pre-eminent  importance, 
and  its  inspiration,  should  be  read  with  special  aids;  that 
is,  commentaries.  I  refer  now  to  such  as  are  critical; 
of  which  Adam  Clarke's  is  a  fine  example,  though,  like 
the  sun,  it  has  spots.  There  are  separate  commentaries 
on  particular  portions  of  Scripture  which  will  generally 
be  found  better  than  any  universal  one.  I  wish  we  had 
writers  who  had  done  for  other  books  of  the  Bible  what 
Lowth  has  for  Isaiah  and  Home  for  the  Psalms.  The 
diffuse  commentaries,  abounding  in  reflections  which  had 
better  come  from  your  own  mind,  you  will  generally  find 
watery;  you  may  obtain  ideas  from  them  after  long  wait- 
ing, but  they  will  not  be  your  own,  and  they  will  be 
received  in  a  distended  and  weakened  mind.  Educated 
men  often  read  the  Bible  better  without  commentaries. 


EDUCATIONAL    ESBAFg. 

Let  them  have  a  good  Bible  dictionary  and  a  work  on 
Archaeology;  an  acquaintance  with  the  original  tongues, 
and  with  ancient  history  and  geography,  and  they  need 
not  fail  to  find  the  meaning  of  holy  oracles.  Moreover, 
they  will  study  with  a  mind  more  awakened,  more  inde- 
pendent, more  cautious,  more  critical,  and  more  reveren- 
tial, too,  as  the  principal  and  the  auxiliary,  the  divine 
and  the  human,  will  not  be  so  intimately  blended.  Were 
commentaries  all  destroyed,  the  Bible  would  become  a 
California,  where  every  man,  assured  there  was  gold, 
would  wash  his  own  sand. 

To  scrutiny  should  succeed  reflection.  We  should  not 
only  examine  superfices,  but  penetrate,  revolve,  evolve,  sep- 
arate, compare,  combine,  till  "out  of  the  eater  comes  forth 
meat,  and  out  of  the  strong  comes  forth  sweetness."  We 
should  seek  not  merely  for  the  melody  of  the  cadences 
and  the  beauty  of  the  images,  but  the  validity  of  the 
judgments,  the  weight  of  the  matter,  the  value  of  the 
conclusions,  the  additional  illustrations  and  arguments  by 
which  the  statements  and  reasonings  might  be  corrobo- 
rated, the  relation  which  the  facts  bear  to  our  previous 
knowledge,  and  the  various  uses  to  which  the  information 
imparted  may  be  applied;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  the  ex- 
ceptions which  have  been  omitted,  the  blunders  which 
have  been  committed,  the  inconsistencies  into  which  the 
author  has  fallen,  and  the  inapplicability  of  his  subject 
to  useful  purposes.  A  book  read  with  reflection  is  like 
the  imaginary  gold  concealed  in  the  vineyard  of  fable, 
which,  causing  the  possessors  to  dig  deep  all  over  their 
grounds,  formed  in  them  habits  of  eager  industry,  and 
gave  to  their  soil  an  unsuspected  productiveness.  Men 
too  often,  either  from  a  want  of  information  or  want  of 
independence,  from  an  overweening  confidence  in  the 
author  or  an  incorrigible  indolence  in  themselves,  from 
an  unpardonable  haste  or  an  unfortunate  weakness,  re- 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  268 

ceive  all  that  they  read.  Such  minds  are  like  human 
life,  never  in  one  stay.  Their  philosophy  is  grass;  in 
the  morning  it  cometh  up  and  flourisheth;  in  the  even- 
ing it  is  cut  down  and  withereth.  If  you  would  know 
their  present  state  of  mind,  ask  what  book  they  have 
last  read.  ''They  are  ever  learning,  but  never  able  to 
come  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth."  Their  minds  are  as 
blackboards  overspread  with  symbols,  which  by  cancella- 
tion yield  only  zero.  If  they  happen  to  be  pastors  or 
teachers,  woe  to  their  flocks  or  pupils,  for  they  are  to  be 
led  through  a  maze;  if  they  ai"e  doctors,  woe  to  their  pa- 
tients, for  they  must  taste  a  little  of  every  thing.  Hap- 
pily such  persons  have  but  little  force. 

There  is  a  great  want  of  reflection  among  mankind; 
the  multitude  in  all  ages  has  sunk  into  the  grave  without 
thinking;  and  the  few  that  have  not,  with  here  and 
there  an  exception,  have  been  occupied  with  the 
thoughts  of  others  rather  than  their  own.  A  few  sov- 
ereign minds  divide  among  themselves  the  realm  of 
reason,  giving  opinions  as  decrees.  No  sway  more  per- 
fect than  theirs.  Talk  not  of  Russian  autocrats  in  pres- 
ence of  the  autocrats  of  philosophy,  who,  as  God's 
thinking  vicegerents,  prescribe  routes  and  limits  for  the 
outgoings  of  human  mind,  and  hunt  down  those  who 
transgress  them  as  wild  beasts  of  the  desert.  Hence, 
notwithstanding  unnumbered  millions  of  separate  im- 
mortal men  have  lived  upon  the  earth,  all  the  thoughts 
of  the  world  that  have  been  preserved  may  be  ranked 
under  a  few  heads:  thus,  Plato,  Aristotle,  Confucius, 
Mohammed,  Bacon,  Kant.  A  Caesar  or  Bonaparte  ceases 
to  rule  when  he  dies;  but  these  mental  despots  rule  ages 
after  they  disappear.  Aristotle,  for  example,  swayed 
Europe  for  more  than  a  thousand  years,  and  still  he 
sways.  Columbus  will  be  remembered  long  as  an  island 
or   mountain   of   this   continent   shall   stand   above  the 


264  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

waves ;  but  Homer  will  be  known  long  as  a  syllable  of 
language  lives  upon  the  lips  of  man.  Columbus  rules 
not  the  lands  he  pointed  out;  Bicon  does.  It  would 
seem,  at  first  sight,  that  the  law  of  hereditary  succession 
does  not  prevail  among  the  princes  of  thought;  but, 
upon  examination,  we  see  that  young  ones  are  but  the 
children  of  the  old,  with  altered  names.  Scarce  a  new 
phase  in  philosophy  that  is  not  a  mere  revival  of  an  old 
one.  The  present  age  is  as  unrefleetive  as  its  prede- 
cessor ;  it  is  one  of  activity  and  haste,  in  which  its  very 
facilities  are  incumbrances;  the  multitude  of  its  books 
discourages  reflection.  Would  you  form  an  idea  of  a 
man's  politics,  ask  what  political  paper  he  takes;  would 
you  know  his  religion,  ask  what  preacher  he  hears.  But 
do  not  his  opinions  direct  the  choice  both  of  paper  and 
preacher?  So  you  might  suppose,  but  that  you  find 
him  veering  as  they  do,  just  as  they  veer  when  their 
masters  do.  What  revolutions  are  wrought  in  the  masses 
by  the  movement  of  some  national  convention!  "Old 
things  pass  away,  all  things  become  new;"  parties  are 
bought  and  sold  with  their  leaders,  as  Russian  serfs  are 
bought  and  sold  with  the  land.  Men  will  not  think; 
they  have  their  thinking  done  for  them — done  by  ma- 
chinery. As  the  Carguero  carries  the  traveler  in  a  chair 
on  his  back  over  the  mountains  of  Quito,  so  the  teacher 
is  to  bear  the  student  on  his  blackboard  to  the  summits 
of  knowledge;  as  the  priest  in  Siberia  ties  his  devotions 
to  the  windmill,  and  expects  every  revolution  to  count  a 
valid  prayer,  so  we  expect  our  ministers  to  waft  our  souls 
to  the  mount  of  God;  as  the  steam-horse  puflFs  us, 
whether  we  are  asleep  or  awake,  to  the  city,  so  we  expect 
the  book  to  bear  us  to  the  metropolis  of  reason.  Hence, 
human  mind,  with  increased  activity,  has  diminished  fer- 
tility; amid  advancement  in  arts,  and  sciences,  and 
wealth,  it  is  stationary  in  the  higher  grounds  of  intellect- 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  265 

ual  labor ;  having  more  leisure,  more  facilities,  more 
knowledge,  more  incentives  than  it  has  ever  had,  it  is 
content  to  be  agitated  and  amused  with  the  successive 
explosions  of  the  magazine  of  folly  and  error,  and  makes 
no  majestic  march  in  the  direction  of  truth.  It  trembles 
to  ascend  on  the  stream  of  borrowed  thought  to  original 
fountains,  as  if,  like  the  rivers  of  Eden,  they  were 
guarded  by  sworded  cherubim;  it  fears  to  move  onward 
to  the  ocean,  as  if  beyond  the  frequented  coasts  of  truth 
nature  inverted  her  laws.  Reflect  as  you  read,  cautiously, 
but  freely,  boldly. 

We  should  not  only  read  with  reflection,  but  appi-opri- 
ation.  The  mind  may  comprehend  its  knowledge,  and 
act  upon  it,  without  being  able  to  make  use  of  it;  hence, 
some,  though  very  learned,  are  far  from  wise.  Their 
minds  are  as  a  storehouse,  where  all  treasures  are  con- 
fusedly mixed ;  they  are  walking  libraries,  and  can  give 
you  history,  philosophy,  poetry,  and  theology,  but  just  as 
they  received  it;  they  have  carefully  wrapped  their  ^1- 
ent  in  a  napkin,  and  buried  it,  to  be  disinterred  when 
called  for.  There  are  others,  who  analyze  propositions — 
who  consider  the  relations  of  facts  to  others  which  they 
have  previously  acquired,  and  thus  elicit  further  knowl- 
edge, uniting  the  difi"erent  colored  rays  of  the  mental 
prism  to  form  a  perfect  light — who  ponder  principles  till 
they  see  new  applications  of  them — who  examine  argu- 
ments till  they  perceive  new  truths  which  they  may  be 
ma'de  to  disclose — who  find  in  one  sophism  the  clew  to 
another.  They  profitably  invest  their  talents,  and  give 
forth  knowledge  not  as  they  received  it,  but,  though  like 
itself,  yet  not  itself,  more  than  itself;  the  spiritual  corn, 
sinking  into  their  mental  soil,  dies,  and  is  quickened, 
and  sends  forth  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear,  then  the 
ripe  corn  in  the  ear.     Between  the  knowledge  of  these 

two  there   is   the   difi'erence  of  life  and  death.     It   is 

23 


I/- 


206  EDUCATIONAL     ESSAYS. 

amazing  what  power  of  appropriation  a  man  may  acquire. 
Kossuth  may  make  a  speech  every  day  from  the  conver- 
sations of  men,  who  little  suspect  that  the  knowledge 
they  receive  from  him  is  but  that  which  they  have  given, 
though  bearing  the  impress  of  his  mind;  he  received  it 
as  ore,  he  returns  it  as  currency.  See  that  your  soul  is 
not  a  great  cistern,  but  a  great  furnace,  in  which  every 
thing  cast  must  be  saved  as  by  fire. 

Not  every  book  is  to  be  read  with  the  same  degree  of 
attention.  Erasmus  cries,  "I  have  spent  twelve  years  in 
the  study  of  Cicero."  Lord  Verulam  responds,  "  0  ass  !" 
Generally  that  book  which  has  been  written  hastily 
should  be  read  hastily.  Some  volumes  have  cost  twenty 
years'  toil;  these  should  be  read  slowly,  or  not  at  all. 
Although  we  may  tithe  mint,  anise,  and  cummin,  we 
should  not  be  as  long  collecting  the  revenue  of  a  poor 
district  as  of  a  rich  one.  "  Some  books,"  says  Lord 
Bacon,  "are  to  be  tasted,  others  to  be  swallowed,  and 
some  few  to  be  chewed  and  digested."  Of  the  last  class 
I  speak. 

The  habit  of  attentive,  reflective,  appropriative  read- 
ing may  not  be  easily  acquired,  nor  is  any  other  good 
habit ;  but  we  may  say  of  it  what  Aristotle  says  of  learn- 
ing, "The  roots  are  bitter,  but  the  fruits  are  sweet." 
When  once  it  is  acquired,  it  may  readily  be  strength- 
ened, and  will  afford  through  life  a  never-failing  feast 
and  an  unceasing  mental  growth.  Youth  is  the  time  to 
acquire  it,  and  the  best  mode  is  to  use  the  pen ;  no?  to 
transcribe  important  chapters  or  beautiful  passages  to  be 
used  as  aids  in  argumentation  or  gems  in  composition — a 
practice  which  enervates  memory  and  degrades  style; 
nor  to  construct  commonplaces — an  exercise  much  more 
useful;  but  to  form  discourse  of  your  own;  this  will 
prove  a  magnet  to  gather  fragments  as  you  advance,  and 
at  once   guide  and  stimulate  your  further  excavations. 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  267 

But  read  with  an  eye  to  human  life.  We  should  not  live 
to  read,  but  read  to  live.  Action  is  the  highest  mode  of 
being — 

"  In  the  deed— the  unequivocal,  authentic  deed — 
We  find  sound  argument." 

The  purpose  of  training  a  child  is  not  so  much  that  he 
may  read,  or  write,  or  speak,  but  go.  Mere  study  is  a 
weariness  to  the  flesh;  and  however  diligent  we  may  be, 
we  can  not  grow  much  wiser  or  stronger  by  reading  ex- 
clusively. Books  need  the  illustration  of  nature  and 
life.  The  phj-sician,  lawyer,  doctor,  warrior,  who  should 
spend  life  in  the  study,  would  not  be  fit  to  be  trusted. 
It  is  only  by  the  ajfplication  of  knowledge  that  we  learn 
its  limitations,  exceptions,  and  proper  force.  Hoarded 
knowledge,  like  the  hoarded  manna  of  the  desert,  pu- 
trefies ;  and  epicurism  in  mind,  as  in  body,  has  its  acids 
and  urudities,  its  flatulencies  and  constipations.  All  wis- 
dom and  wit  that  does  not  promote  man's  happiness  or 
God's  glory  is  vanity.  Hence,  while  men  have  ranked 
philosophers  and  orators  as  demigods,  they  have  ranked 
discoverers  and  inventors  as  gods;  and  properly,  since 
the  comet  that  occasionally  flashes  up  the  heavens  is  less 
godlike  than  the  dew  which,  from  day  to  day,  and  gener- 
ation to  generation,  invisibly  distills  upon  the  earth. 

Neither  a  nation  nor  an  individual  is  to  be  judged  by 
the  number  of  its  books.  Egypt  was  crumbling  when 
her  Alexandrian  Library  was  the  largest  in  the  world ; 
Asia  Minor  was  falling  under  tte  blows  of  Greece  when 
her  books  were  ten  to  one  more  than  her  adversary's; 
Greece  had  multiplied  her  parchments  when  Home's 
hardy  legions  subdued  the  Peloponnesus;  Rome  was 
filled  with  books  when  Alaric  sacked  the  imperial  city. 
On  the  contrary,  Greece  had  but  few  writings  when  sho 
drove  back  Xerxes,  and  produced  Homeric  song;  Rome 
few  when  she  expelled  the  Tarquins,  and  brought  forth 


268  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

Brutus;  Britain  few  when  she  drafted  the  Magna  Charts, 
and  sent  the  Black  Prince  to  Cressyj  and  what  is  more 
common  than  to  find  a  man  with  a  large  library  a  very 
great  fool ! 

Nevertheless,  books  have  their  uses;  and  we  come  to 
inquire,  secondly,  why  should  we  read  ?  The  lighter  uses 
of  reading — to  tranquilize  our  passions,  to  assuage  our 
sorrows,  to  moderate  our  anxieties,  to  beguile  our  jour- 
neys, to  give  interest  to  our  idle  hours,  to  refine  the  man- 
ners and  humanize  the  heart,  to  awaken  the  desire  for 
knowledge  and  form  the  taste  for  reading — we  pass  with 
a  single  caveat  against  a  class  of  books  which  is  usually 
employed  to  answer  these  indications :  I  mean  novels  and 
romances.  In  condemning  them  let  us  not  be  understood 
as  denouncing  all  fictitious  productions;  the  fables  of 
-^sop,  the  allegories  of  prophecy,  the  parables  of  Christ, 
the  tales  which  embellish  and  impress  historical  -facts, 
and  the  illustrations  which  the  pulpit  employs  with  so 
much  grace  and  efficiency,  afford  at  once  authority  for 
fictions  and  rules  for  its  construction  and  use.  Novels 
and  romances  usually  offend  a  pure  taste  and  a  sound 
mind  by  their  gaudy  dress,  their  unnatural  characters, 
and  their  paucity  of  instruction;  and  always  tend  to 
weaken  the  power  of  attention,  to  impair  the  judgment, 
to  divorce  the  connection  between  action  and  sympathy, 
to  give  a  preponderance  to  the  imagination,  to  create  a 
distaste  for  simple  truth,  and  a  disinclination  both  for 
manly  studies  and  the  dull  realities  of  life.  Many  of 
them  are  liable  to  a  greater  objection,  as,  by  a  Plutonic 
chemistry,  they  turn  the  diamond  of  virtue  into  the  char- 
coal of  vice.  It  is  alleged  that  they  soften  the  heart  and 
excite  an  interest  in  suffering.  Often,  however,  it  is  an 
undistinguishing  or  a  mawkish  sensibility,  which,  while 
it  can  weep  over  the  picture  of  a  dead  Gipsy,  can  wring 
the  living  heart  of  a  loving  father.     That  by  inflaming 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  269 

the  imagination,  interesting  the  affections,  and  exciting 
an  interest  in  books,  they  may  be  useful  to  some  minds, 
and,  indeed,  to  most  minds  in  certain  moods,  must  be  ad- 
mitted; but  since  the  good  they  accomplish  may  be 
effected  by  works  of  unquestionable  tendency,  why  resort 
to  such  as  intoxicate  while  they  imparadise,  bewilder 
while  they  allure,  and  emasculate  while  they  excite? 
The  higher  forms  of  poetry,  philosophy,  and  religion  are 
sufficiently  fascinating  and  energizing  to  all  the  faculties. 

Let  us  come  to  the  higher  ends  of  reading — to  inform, 
to  balance,  and  to  stimulate  the  mind,  to  form  the  style 
and  to  reform  the  heart. 

To  inform  the  mind.  The  great  purpose  of  education 
is  to  develop  and  train  the  faculties;  in  doing  this  we 
must  necessarily  give  some  information;  but  the  col- 
lege, when  she  graduates,  turns  you  over  to  testimony  or 
observation.  It  was  the  error  of  the  schoolmen  to  sup- 
pose that  all  knowledge  was  contained  in  the  soul;  hence, 
they  wasted  life  in  seeking  to  find  out  external  things  by 
agitating  their  own  intellects,  as  if  matter  could  be  made 
by  shaking  emptiness.  Although  the  theory  of  the 
schoolmen  has  been  exploded,  their  practice  has  not. 
We  still  need  to  be  reminded  that  we  can  not  draw  con- 
clusions without  premises;  that  from  nothing  comes 
nothing,  however  much  it  may  be  agitated.  In  judging, 
remembering,  analyzing,  and  generalizing,  the  philoso- 
pher may  have  great  advantages  over  the  savage;  but  for 
the  facts  the  one  is  as  dependent  as  the  other.  An  edu- 
cated young  man  has  fundamental  knowledge  of  nature 
and  life,  of  history  and  geography;  but  let  him  remem- 
ber that  his  knowledge  is  but  fundamental — that  he  must 
build  upon  it,  and  that  his  very  foundations  are  liable  to 
decay  unless  he  is  constantly  carrying  forward  the  super- 
structure. History,  civil,  ecclesiastical,  and  natural,  are 
before  him.     Of  the  first  two  he  has  an  outline — general 


B70  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

notions  of  the  stream  of  time;  names  of  nations,  their 
rise,  decline,  and  fall;  great  epochas,  leading  events,  dis- 
tinguished names,  and  a  table  of  dates — a  mere  chart  to 
give  interest  and  direction  to  the  voyage  before  him.  So, 
too,  of  natural  history — his  knowledge  is  but  skeleton,  to 
be  clothed  and  animated  by  a  patient  continuance  in  the 
study  of  nature  under  the  guidance  of  its  more  eminent 
interrogators.  In  this  department  of  learning,  if  we  be 
not  studious  we  must  ever  recede.  Chemistry,  geology, 
etc.,  have  just  passed  the  pillars  of  Hercules,  and  are 
cutting  with  their  keels  an  unknown  ocean  toward  an  un- 
known world.  Geography,  once  a  fixed,  is  now  a  progress- 
ive study,  following  commerce,  and  science,  and  Chris- 
tian sympathy  into  all  regions,  and  mapping  past  events, 
human  progress,  and  providential  designs  among  all  peo- 
ples. But  what  shall  we  read  upon  these  subjects?  I 
give  no  list  of  books;  but,  since  by  reading  according  to 
a  well-conceived  plan  we  shall  have  clearer  views  and 
speedier  progress,  I  refer  you  to  some  such  "Hand-Book 
of  Literature"  as  Bishop  Potter's.  Be  not  alarmed  at 
the  size  of  the  catalogue.  What  can  not  be  accom- 
plished in  one  year  may  in  ten;  nor  are  all  histories  to  be 
studied  with  equal  care.  God,  in  his  word,  has  epito- 
mized the  history  of  many  generations,  indicated  the 
chief  points  of  attention  in  the  field  of  later  history — 
the  Assyrian,  Medo-Persian,  Grecian,  and  Roman — fur- 
nished in  his  providence  the  most  able  authors — Polyb- 
ius,  Livy,  Thucydides,  Xenophon,  RoUin,  Gibbon,  etc. — 
to  illustrate  them,  and  given  us  a  clew  to  connect  their 
various  parts  and  trace  their  important  bearings.  We 
may  pass  rapidly,  by  the  aid  of  Hallam,  through  the 
dark  region  of  medieval  history,  and  obtain  imperfect 
glances  on  the  pages  of  Hume,  Robertson,  Russel,  etc., 
of  the  more  important  events  of  modern  times.  For 
current  history  we  need  a  well-edited  daily,  a  weekly  con- 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  271 

densing  its  news,  a  monthly  digesting  the  literature  of 
the  times,  and  a  quarterly  converging  the  mature  thoughts 
of  the  passing  age.  Let  us  not  spend  too  much  time 
upon  them;  the  periodical  press  is,  to  a  great  extent, 
trash;  it  caters  for  society,  instead  of  elevating  it;  its 
miscellany  is  often  weak  and  aifected;  its  essays  conten- 
tious, deceitful,  superficial;  its  criticisms  mere  moths, 
fretting  what  they  can  not  produce;  its  intelligence 
chiejiy  is  to  be  valued.  Nevertheless,  it  is  indispensable : 
it  lights  up  the  world,  though  with  gas;  it  circles  the 
earth,  though  like  the  stars,  in  appearance  only;  it  runs 
to  and  fro,  though  it  does  not  always  increase  knowledge. 
There  are,  too,  noble  exceptions  among  editors — men 
whose  essays  are  worthy  to  be  studied  as  well  for  matter 
as  style. 

The  history  of  human  ideas  or  philosophy  should  be 
pondered.  You  have  seen  this  tower  of  Babel  at  a  dis- 
tance; to  mark  its  successive  stories,  to  listen  to  the  con- 
fusion of  its  tongues,  and  to  trace  its  moss-grown  ruins, 
is  a  task  at  once  curious  and  profitable.  Although  no 
book  is  prepared  for  this  purpose,  yet  we  may  extend  our 
explorations  by  the  light  of  such  works  as  Enfield's  or 
Brucker's.  The  acquisition  of  extensive  and  accurate 
knowledge  of  men  and  things  of  the  past  and  present  is 
indispensable,  as  well  to  a  just  appreciation  of  the  best 
authors,  as  the  proper  employment  of  our  own  powers. 
It  is  thus  we  grow  familiar  with  the  muses,  and  make  all 
nature  vocal ;  thus  we  evoke  Minerva  from  the  brain,  and 
give  a  harp  to  our  sounding  bowels.  To  philosophy  let 
us  add  divinity.  Concerning  the  relations  of  the  soul  to 
God,  or  life  to  immortality,  we  can  know  only  what  is  re- 
vealed; for  such  knowledge  it  is  vain  to  beat  about  in 
nature,  or  turn  upon  ourselves,  for  it  is  above  both.  Pen- 
etrated with  this  truth,  we  should  come  to  the  Bible 
with  the  docility  of  a  child,  and  the  awe  of  a  prophet. 


272  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

If  you  have  received  it  as  a  revelation,  it  is  too  late  to 
cavil,  argue,  or  doubt,  concerning  it.  You  must  receive 
a  prophet  in  the  name  of  a  prophet  if  you  would  receive 
a  prophet's  reward.  However  humbling  to  the  pride  of 
reason  may  be  this  unquestioning  belief,  I  enjoin  it  with 
the  more  confidence  because  you  will  accord  it  to  some- 
thing. You  will  seek  rest  in  something  infallible.  "I 
am  come  in  my  Father's  name,  and  ye  receive  me  not;  if 
another  come  in  his  own  name,  him  ye  will  receive." 
Alas !  there  is  as  much  difference  between  the  revelations 
of  Scripture  concerning  Divine  things  and  the  specula- 
tions of  men,  as  between  the  solid  world  which  Columbus 
discovered,  and  the  dark,  agitated,  and  liquid  chaos 
which,  beyond  a  certain  horizon,  presented  itself  to  the 
imaginations  of  men  before  the  days  of  that  immortal 
navigator.  And  here  let  me  advise  you  to  read  no  skep- 
tical works;  they  are  unnecessary:  a  proposition  and  its 
contradictory  need  not  both  be  investigated;  if  one  be 
true,  the  other  is  false.  You  have  assented,  after  satis- 
factory proof  and  argumentation,  to  the  truth  of  the 
Bible,  and  refuted  the  chief  objections  and  arguments  of 
infidels.  What  more  is  needed?  The  contradictory  of 
the  proposition  may,  however,  be  proved  false  directly,  as 
well  as  indirectly,  without  any  examination  of  infidel 
labors.  It  is  nearly  two  thousand  years  since  skeptics 
undertook  to  overthrow  the  Bible,  and  it  is  now  more 
firmly,  and  intelligently,  and  extensively  believed  than 
ever.  If  the  allies  of  the  European  west  had  been  bom- 
barding Sevastopol  without  intermission,  with  the  pro- 
gressive iinprovements  in  the  art  of  war,  for  two  thou- 
sand years,  and  yet  found  the  fortifications  of  that  port 
now  ten  times  as  strong  as  ever,  you  would  conclude, 
without  examining  their  parallels  or  batteries,  that  Sevas- 
topol is  impregnable.  If  infidelity  finds  the  Bible  a 
thousand    times    more    firm    after    it    has    been   arguing 


MISCELLANEOUS     READING.  273 

against  it  for  eighteen  hundred  years,  what  will  it  find 
after  it  has  argued  in  its  most  approved  style  for  eighteen 
hundred  years  more? 

We  may  take  it  for  granted,  that  if  it  had  one  reliable 
argument  it  would  in  this  wicked  world  be  familiar  as  a 
household  word.  Moreover,  the  arguments  of  unbeliev- 
ers are  self-destructive;  put  them  in  parallel  columns, 
and  you  may  reduce  them  to  zero  by  cancellation.  An- 
cient infidels  believed  that  Christ  wrought  miracles  by 
the  agency  of  devils;  modern  ones  believe  there  is 
neither  miracle  nor  devil. 

If  you  read  these  works,  they  must  produce  either 
some  effect  upon  your  minds  or  none :  if  none,  you  lose 
your  time  and  pains;  if  some,  they  must  either  shake 
your  faith  or  overthrow  it;  if  they  merely  shake  it,  they 
leave  you  a  prey  to  doubt,  which  will  distress  you  the 
more  in  proportion  as  you  need  rest  of  mind;  if  they 
overthrow  your  faith,  they  leave  you  exposed  to  universal 
skepticism  concerning  the  past,  impenetrable  gloom  con- 
cerning the  future,  and  the  wild  play  of  the  passions  re- 
pressed only  by  very  imperfect  restraints. 

Another  object  of  reading  is  to  keep  the  mind  bal- 
anced. There  are  three  great  causes  of  mental  malad- 
justment— the  hand  of  nature,  the  lapse  of  time,  and  the 
pursuits  of  men.  The  college  course  has  been  wisely  ar- 
ranged to  develop  and  train  all  the  faculties;  and 
although  it  does  not  correct  all  irregularities  and  make  all 
minds  symmetrical,  it  may,  when  properly  pursued,  pre- 
vent intellectual  deformity.  On  leaving  college  we  grad- 
ually undergo  alterations :  the  sensibilities  and  the  will 
gain  upon  the  intellect;  desire  of  action,  power,  money, 
fame,  increases  and  rages,  and  in  the  conflicts  of  life  we 
acquire  a  persistence,  a  firmness,  a  steadfastness,  which 
we  had  not  before  exhibited:  the  intellectual  states  are 
also  affected — imagination   and   memory  lose  power,  ab- 


274  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

straction  and  reason  gain.  Occupation  will  modify  these 
changes.  As  the  foot  of  the  Indian  hecomes  fleet,  and 
the  eye  of  the  sailor  far-seeing,  so  the  mind  of  the  lawyer 
becomes  acute,  of  the  physician  sagacious  and  practical, 
of  the  clergyman  speculative  and  comprehensive.  A  dis- 
cerning person  can,  at  a  glance,  determine  a  man's  pro- 
fession, so  deeply  does  it  impress  itself  upon  mind  and 
manners.  We  should  strive  to  prevent  this  daguerreo- 
typing  influence,  and  to  secure  a  free  movement  for  all 
our  powers.  Hence,  if  imagination  begin  to  fail,  read 
poetry;  if  business  absorb  the  mind,  study  history  till  its 
characters,  its  events,  its  philosophy,  arrest  the  attention 
and  eclipse  the  trifles  of  the  passing  hour;  if  in  the  mul- 
titude of  objects  and  amusements  your  mind  is  losing  its 
concentrativeness,  recur  to  mathematics,  which,  like  a 
moral  ladder,  will  keep  you  watchful  as  you  ascend  from 
round  to  round;  if  in  the  whirlpool  of  life  you  grow  con- 
tent with  swimming  superfices,  return  to  the  diving-bell 
of  philosophy;  and  if  in  your  association  with  the  mass 
you  become  averse  to  ratiocination,  and  prone  to  take 
principles  on  trust,  to  leap  to  conclusions,  and  to  argue 
ad  captandum,  go  to  the  gymnasium  of  the  schoolmen. 
There  are,  however,  many  works  equally  strengthening 
and  more  accessible  than  those  of  scholasticism :  such  as 
Chillingworth's  defense  of  Protestantism,  which  it  is  said 
Daniel  Webster  read  once  a  year  to  sharpen  his  logical 
skill;  Fletcher's  "Checks,"  of  which  a  lawyer  and  an 
enemy  said,  "This  argument  will  hold  water;"  Berkley's 
Minute  Philosopher,  which  it  is  stated  Robert  Hall  was 
accustomed  to  read  regularly  before  he  commenced  that 
mighty  and  majestic  movement  of  mind  which  often 
made  his  pulpit  like  unto  Mount  Sinai;  Wesley's  Ser- 
mons, as  clear  in  logic  as  fervent  in  rhetoric,  like  the 
sea  of  mingled  glass  in  apocalyptic  vision — with  lightning 
penetration  he  cleaves  the  forms  of  error  till  he  reaches 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  275 

the  reservoir  of  first  truths,  and,  with  a  profound  anal- 
ysis, he  not  only  guides  you  into  the  depths  of  pagan 
metaphysics,  but  out  of  them. 

There  are  who  object  to  this  direction,  and  think  that 
a  man  should  concentrate  all  his  powers  upon  his  pro- 
fession— if  lawyer,  he  should  let  all  his  wisdom  run  to 
Bubtility;  if  poet,  to  fancy — and  who  look  suspiciously 
on  one  who  ventures  beyond  his  ordinary  range,  as  if  he 
were  doing  injustice  to  his  patrons.  True,  in  order  to 
shine  we  must  converge  our  light;  equally  true,  that  we 
can  not  illustrate  our  own  profession  without  ascending 
or  descending,  if  you  please,  into  others.  We  could  not 
so  easily  survey  a  plain  by  walking  continually  within  it 
as  by  ascending  some  eminence  that  overlooks  it;  nor 
could  we  form  a  just  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  a  mount- 
ain without  descending  to  the  lower  peaks.  I  believe 
in  the  communion  of  sciences  as  well  as  the  communion 
of  saints.  It  was  the  boast  of  Voltaire  that  he  had 
discovered  the  island  of  J^ngland,  so  ignorant  were  his 
countrymen  of  its  literature.  There  are  many  learned 
bodies  to  whom  mathematics  and  poetry  are  unknown 
lands,  and  who  think  of  law  as  good  only  for  horse-thieves 
and  physic  for  cutting  off  legs.  Did  the  peculiar  genius 
of  the  French  cease  to  shine  after  they  had  been  intro- 
duced to  Bacon  and  Newton,  and  would  gentlemen  be 
less  fitted  to  adorn  one  profession  by  some  knowledge  of 
another?  Name  a  science  to  which  any  profession  does 
not  stand  related  or  from  which  it  may  not  draw  illustra- 
tions and  proofs.  Name  a  man  that  has  carried  forward 
his  profession  who  is  not  of  general  and  varied  reading 
and  study.  How  did  the  Chinese  become  sluggish,  or 
the  monks  of  past  ages  mentally  blind,  but  by  shutting 
themselves  up?  How  have  some  of  the  greatest  phi- 
losophers become  short-sighted  by  confining  their  atten- 
tion to  minute  points?     Be  not  a  "Know-Nothing"  in 


276  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

your  profession,  rather  a  "Know-Something"  out  of  it; 
and  remember  that  diverse  knowledges  may  dw^ll  to- 
gether like  soul  and  body.  But  what  if  your  reading 
can  not  all  be  made  tributary  to  your  profession  or 
pursuit  ?  You  have  a  higher  mission — the  cultivation 
of  yourselves.  He  is  narrow-minded,  indeed,  who  will 
not  visit  a  neighbor's  hearth  unless  he  can  bake  his  own 
cakes  upon  its  coals. 

Another  object  of  reading  is  to  form  the  style.  Works 
of  rhetoric  should  be  studied ;  but  it  is  not  by  the  phi- 
losophy of  criticism  that  we  can  form  a  habit  of  writing 
felicitously.  As  by  associating  with  gentlemen  we  ac- 
quire the  manners  of  gentlemen,  so  by  reading  the  best 
writers  we  attain  to  the  art  of  good  writing.  "It  is  im- 
possible," said  Seneca,  "to  approach  the  light  without  de- 
riving some  faint  coloring  from  it,  or  to  remain  long  among 
precious  odors  without  bearing  away  with  us  some  portion 
of  the  fragrance."  We  shall  more  rapidly  improve  if  we 
occasionally  apply  our  rules  of  criticism,  that  by  ana- 
lyzing the  beauties  of  the  author  we  may  more  perfectly 
relish  them,  and  by  recognizing  the  principles  upon  which 
they  are  founded  more  readily  reproduce  them.  More- 
over, every  author  has  his  faults  and  imperfections,  which 
we  shall  be  liable  to  imitate,  if  we  read  without  discrim- 
ination; indeed,  so  naturally  do  we  transfer  our  admira- 
tion from  excellences  to  blemishes  associated  with  them, 
that  we  are  as  prone  to  imitate  the  vices  as  the  virtues  of 
a  model.  We  should  not  confine  ourselves  to  a  single 
writer,  however  excellent  he  may  be,  lest  he  bore  our 
ears  through  with  an  awl.  Happily  there  is  a  great 
variety  of  master-pieces  in  composition.  It  is  not  our 
purpose  to  enumerate  them.  Sufi"er  me  to  remark  that, 
as  a  general  rule,  the  older  authors,  who,  writing  be- 
fore learning  became  widely  diffused,  addressed  them- 
selves to  educated  minds  rather  than  the  populace,  such 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  277 

as  Addison,  Swift,  Goldsmith,  Pope,  Cowper,  and  Young, 
are  preferable ;  there  are,  however,  recent  writers  whose 
style  is  beautiful,  as  Burke,  Hall,  Macaulay,  Channing, 
Prcscott,  Irving.  We  should  be  guided  in  our  selection 
by  our  peculiarity  of  genius — for  each  man  has  a  pe- 
culiarity of  intellectual  character.  Some  men  excel  in 
the  sententious  style,  others  in  the  flowing;  some  are 
bold  and  figurative,  others  simple  and  delicate.  If  we 
are  running  our  peculiarity  to  an  extreme,  we  must  check 
it  by  familiarity  with  a  writer  of  opposite  tendency.  If 
you  are  too  figurative,  ponder  Paley;  if  too  terse,  turn  to 
Johnson ;  if  wanting  in  energy,  read  Carlyle ;  if  in 
purity,  read  Swift;  if  in  elegance,  Burke.  After  all,  let 
us  bear  in  mind  that  style  is  of  secondary  consideration. 
We  should  never  run  the  risk  of  weakening  our  under- 
standing or  corrupting  our  principles  for  the  sake  of 
polishing  our  periods.  I  should  fear  to  come  within  the 
fascinations  of  either  Walter  Scott  or  Dr.  Channing. 
The  more  we  think  and  feel,  the  less  we  need  study  style  : 
an  overflowing  mind,  like  an  overflowing  river,  will  move 
gracefully ;  a  heart  on  fire,  like  a  house  on  fire,  will  burn 
sublimely. 

Another  important  object  of  reading  is  to  stimulate 
the  mind.  Let  me  caution  you  against  attempting  to 
stimulate  the  intellect  through  the  body  in  any  other 
way  than  by  taking  care  of  your  health.  That  the  soul, 
like  the  embryo,  is  liable  to  be  influenced  by  that  in 
which  it  reposes  is  not  denied,  but  the  influence  is  a 
general  one;  the  supposition  that  we  can  excite  imagina- 
tion by  opium,  memory  by  tea,  or  attention  by  whisky,  as 
we  can  rouse  the  liver  by  calomel,  or  the  nose  by  snufi", 
is  a  relic  of  ancient  pathology,  which  located  understand- 
ing in  the  brain,  anger  in  the  heart,  and  sensuality  in 
the  liver,  and  sought  to  purify  the  soul  by  purging  the 
body.     Yet  some  still  seek  to  supply  genius  or  atone  for 


278  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

idleness  by  a  resort  to  stimulants  and  narcotics,  pointing 
to  Lord  Byron  as  an  example;  but  if  the  bottle  could 
make  poets  the  world  would  be  full  of  them.  It  may 
produce  a  temporary  excitement,  under  the  influence  of 
which  men  may  compose  rapidly  that  which  they  have 
matured;  and  so  of  narcotics;  but  the  compositions  thus 
produced  are  not  of  the  highest  order;  they  seem  to  be 
the  result  of  a  wild  and  weird  inspiration,  such  as 
breathes  in  the  Ancient  Mariner  of  Coleridge  and  the 
Raven  of  Poe.  Like  the  henbane  which  infatuated  the 
ancient  pythoness  on  her  tripod,  they  produce  a  species 
of  moral  convulsion  suitable  for  divination  and  devil- 
dealing,  and  should  be  reserved  for  the  regions  of  magic 
and  superstition,  or  the  age  of  ecstasies  and  dreams.  If 
you  would  have  a  clear,  strong  intellect,  eschew  them. 
In  the  soul,  as  in  the  body,  the  law'  is  deeply  written : 
"In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread."  Be 
not  deceived;  truth  is  born  only  with  travail;  the  spirit 
is  enfranchised  only  with  agony.  Nevertheless,  there 
are  aids  to  the  laboring  soul.  Is  it  sluggish,  you  may 
rouse  it :  indirectly  by  a  play  of  Shakspeare  or  a  chapter 
of  Demosthenes;  directly  by  a  book  of  Milton  or  a  page 
of  Ossian.  In  selecting  for  this  purpose  we  must  imitate 
the  discretion  of  the  husbandman,  who,  having  learned 
the  varieties  of  his  soil,  scatters  ashes,  lime,  and  manure, 
and  casts  in  the  wheat,  the  barley,  and  the  rye  each  in 
its  appointed  time  and  place.  To  an  imaginative  mind, 
imaginative  works  are  the  proper  stimulants;  to  a  ration- 
ative,  argumentative  ones.  If,  being  tasked,  you  would 
excite  your  mind  at  once,  turn  to  some  choice  collection 
of  stirring  pieces — dramatic,  senatorial,  or  martial — such 
as  start  the  soul  like  the  tap  of  the  reveille;  and  when 
you  have  given  "  Hail  Columbia"  to  your  heart,  give 
your  heart  to  the  pen.  But  it  is  not  enough  to  rouse  the 
Boul ;  you  must  give  it  material ;  and  there  are  works  which 


MISCELLANEOUS    READING.  279 

serve  this  purpose — products  of  original,  profound  think- 
ing, and,  like  leviathans,  few  and  easily  distinguished,  for 
they  make  the  sea  of  thought  around  them  boil  like  a 
pot.  Some  of  these  are  as  gas  solidified;  others  as  un- 
wrought  gold ;  others  like  the  hound  that  puts  you  upon 
the  track  of  the  game.  The  last  are  the  most  valuable; 
it  is  easy  to  let  that  which  is  compressed  resume  its 
original  form  or  to  mold  the  molten  metal ;  it  is  more 
difficult  and  more  healthful  to  pursue  and  overtake  what 
has  never  been  caught.  Coleridge's  Aids  to  Reflection 
is  an  example  of  the  first  kind;  Butler's  Analogy,  of  the 
second;  Bacon's  Advancement  of  Learning,  of  the  third. 
Scarce  a  jar  of  modern  metaphysical  gas  that  has  not 
been  expanded  from  Coleridge ;  scarce  a  beautiful  fabric 
of  recent  time  on  the  evidences  of  Christianity  for  which 
Butler  has  not  furnished  the  raw  material ;  scarce  a  dis- 
covery in  modern  science  since  the  days  of  James  II  to 
which  Bacon  has  not  pointed ;  and  yet  they  can  do 
more — the  nature  of  the  soil  varies  the  crop  even  from 
the  same  seed.  The  deficiencies  noted  by  Lord  Verulam 
yet  unsupplied  are  scores.  All  books  that  contain  more 
than  they  express,  that  make  the  mind  pause  as  it  passes, 
that  turn  it  back  upon  its  own  resources,  or  lead  it  on 
to  new  regions,  are  invaluable;  they  are  educators; 
among  ordinary  books  as  Socrates  among  sophists.  Most 
books  are  afraid  to  let  the  readers  go  alone  a  single  yard, 
lest  they  dash  their  foot  against  a  stone.  Leave  such  to 
minds  that  need  leading-strings.  Seek  books  like  unto 
blood-hounds,  and  hie  to  the  chase  :  there  are  many  such 
absolutely,  though  few,  perhaps,  will  prove  so  relatively 
to  all  minds.  Much  depends  on  the  reader's  genius  and 
habits;  there  are  some  men  who  can  make  almost  any 
book  suggestive,  like  the  raven  which,  in  dry  weather, 
makes  the  scanty  water  rise  to  her  beak  by  dropping  peb- 
bles into  the  hollow  tree.  m 


280  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

If  we  have  a  particular  subject  on  hand,  most  vrelh 
written  works  on  that  subject  will  prove  suggestive.  In 
order  to  write  orations,  read  orations ;  to  write  essays, 
read  essays;  only  see  that  they  are  models,  as  Cicero  and 
Addison.  So  if  we  have  to  write  on  a  particular  subject, 
as  the  atonement,  we  may  read  any  strong  work  on  it. 
Let  us  guard,  however,  against  imitating  the  author;  and 
this  can  be  done  by  making  a  sketch  upon  the  theme 
before  we  read  upon  it.  This  we  shall  not  be  likely  to 
abandon ;  for  a  man  loves  a  club-footed  child  of  his  own 
better  than  a  perfect  one  of  his  neighbor's;  and  what- 
ever thoughts  occur  to  us,  being  used  in  our  own  order, 
and  standing  in  new  relations,  are  our  own,  as  the  waters 
of  the  Mississippi  are  no  longer  the  Mississippi  when  in 
the  bosom  of  the  gulf.  The  most  suggestive  book  in  the 
world  is  the  Bible.  For  thousands  of  years  it  has  given 
activity  and  direction  to  the  best  portions  of  the  world's 
mind.  It  has  been  during  all  this  time  the  fountain  of 
innumerable  sermons  and  books,  no  two  of  which  are 
alike;  it  is  suggestive  of  trains  of  thought  and  rhetorical 
ornaments,  of  new  themes  and  new  arguments,  of  ever- 
purer  emotions  and  ampler  views;  it  is  an  everlasting 
feast  of  fat  things — a  tower,  where  the  watchmen  may 
observe  the  world's  night  and  hail  its  morning — a .  Cas- 
talian  fountain,  fed  from  perpetual  snows — a  furnace, 
ever  forging  new  and  glowing  forms  of  wisdom — a  cease- 
less orchestra  of  angels,  lapping  the  soul  in  celestial 
music — a  calm  sunlight,  consuming  the  vail  that  covers 
mortal  eyes — a  mountain  raised  between  eternity  and 
time,  from  whose  summit  we  may  look  upon  both.  Above 
all,  this  is  the  book  to  accomplish  the  last  great  purpose 
of  reading — the  improvement  of  the  heart,  which  I  must 
dismiss  with  a  word.  I  would  not  undervalue  Taylor  or 
Wesley,  Gurnal  or  Baxter,  Sherlock  or  Fuller,  but  if 
neither  the  Holy  Living  and  Dying,  the  Saint's  Rest, 


MISCELLANEOUS    READINa.  281 

the  Christian  Armor,  nor  the  Reformed  Pastor,  can  move 
a  cold  heart,  lay  upon  it  live  coals  directly  from  the  altar. 
One  word  more.  Books  are  most  suggestive  and  ex- 
citing in  youth.  With  you  the  soil  is  plowed  and  the 
clods  hroken;  cast  now  the  seed  into  the  furrow,  that, 
when  the  earth  mourneth,  and  the  vine  languisheth,  and 
the  joy  of  the  harp  ceaseth,  it  shall  not  be  as  the  shak- 
ing of  an  olive-tree  or  as  the  gleaning  of  grapes  when 
the  vintage  is  done;  but  that  your  barns  may  be  filled 
with  plenty,  and  your  presses  burst  out  with  new  wine 
The  mind  cultivated  from  youth  puts  on  its  noblest  crown 
when  the  almond-tree  flourishes,  and  enjoys  a  marvelous 
mental  second  sight  when  they  that  look  out  of  the  win- 
dows are  darkened;  judges  have  given  their  ablest  decis- 
ions, physicians  exhibited  their  highest  skill,  and  divines 
produced  their  richest  works,  when  the  grasshopper  was  a 
burden 

24 


282  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


Sertssitg  0f  €aiit^ts* 

ALTHOUGH  education  has  become  a  theme  so  trite, 
that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  invest  it  with  interest, 
yet  it  is  doubtful  whether  there  are  not  multitudes  in 
our  membership,  and  many  in  our  ministry-,  who  need  to 
be  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  collegiate  institutions. 
And  when  we  contrast  the  simplicity  and  purity  of  our 
doctrine,  and  the  success  attending  its  proclamation  by 
an  uneducated  ministry,  with  the  corruption  and  com- 
plexity of  the  tenets  of  some  old  and  well-endowed  sem- 
inaries, and  the  pride,  immorality,  and  infidelity  which 
often  characterize  their  pupils,  we  need  not  wonder  that 
our  people  are  suspicious  of  colleges,  and  indifferent  to 
their  claims. 

With  some  exceptions,  our  clergy  have  outstripped  the 
laity  on  the  subject  of  education;  and  having  responded 
to  almost  every  call  which  the  interest  or  the  zeal  of  an 
ambitious  or  enlightened  community  has  made  upon 
them,  they  find  themselves  entangled  in  difficulties  and 
obligations  from  which  our  people  are  not  willing  to  re- 
lieve them.  Hence,  the  present  is  a  critical  period  with 
our  colleges  :  while  not  one  of  them  is  well  endowed, 
many  are  dragging  out  a  sickly  existence,  and  some, 
though  "they  have  a  name  to  live,  are  dead."  True,  at 
our  conferences  we  open  our  eyes  upon   these    objects 

^  An  address  delivered  before  the  Ohio  annual  conference,  and  published 
ai  its  request. 


NECESSITY    OP    COLLEOES.  283 

of  our  care;  but  it  is  feared  that  our  look  is  as  the  gaze 
of  a  galvanized  corpse,  and  our  spasmodic  efforts  to  re- 
lieve, the  erratic  motions  of  powerless  muscles.  I  trust, 
therefore,  you  will  pardon  me  for  asking  attention  to 
some  plain  and  familiar  reasons  why  colleges  should  be 
sustained.  Entertaining  your  own  views,  I  regret  that 
you  have  not  selected  an  advocate  better  able  to  express 
them. 

1.  Colleges  are  needed  to  secure  a  useful  literature. 
Rich  thought  is  the  fruit  of  cultivated  mind,  and  culti- 
vated intellect  implies  skillful  and  diligent  training. 
Skill  in  instructing,  like  skill  in  every  thing  else,  is  the 
product  of  practice;  and  since  we  require  artisans  to 
train  trees  for  our  orchards,  should  we  not  have  scholars 
to  train  souls  for  human  society?  If  we  generally  ad- 
mired good  mind  as  we  do  grafted  fruit,  and  if  a  college 
could  be  established  with  as  little  capital  as  a  nursery, 
education,  like  horticulture,  might  be  left  to  regulate 
itself  But,  as  ignorance  does  not  know  its  wants,  and 
as  large  resources  are  necessary  to  provide  adequate  in- 
structors, erect  suitable  edifices,  and  afford  ample  ap- 
paratus to  attract  a  nation's  youthful  intellect  to  the 
paths  of  learning,  and  open  its  way  to  the  fountains  of 
knowledge,  the  Church  or  the  state  must  endow  the 
seminary.  Hence,  in  general,  a  nation  without  a  college, 
is  a  nation  without  learning. 

Grecian  literature  was  not  the  product  of  spontaneous 
genius.  No  nation  ever  bestowed  more  attention  than 
did  Greece,  during  her  palmy  days,  upon  the  education 
of  her  youth.  At  this  period  she  kept  her  son,  from  his 
seventh  to  his  twentieth  year,  in  the  gymnasium,  where 
his  body  was  trained  to  endurance  and  exertion,  and  his 
mind  enriched  with  the  principles  of  science  and  virtue. 
Athens  was  a  university,  of  which  the  Porch,  the  Acad- 
emy,  and   the  Lyceum   were   apartments :    Zeno,  Plato, 


284  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

and  Aristotle  professors:  and  geometry,  tactics,  physics, 
morals,  history,  poetry,  in  fine,  whatever  could  qualify  to 
fill  the  ofl&ces  of  state,  or  command  the  armies  of  the 
republic — all  that  could  refine  the  taste,  or  invigorate  the 
intellect,  or  inflame  the  fancy,  constituted  the  course  of 
study;  while  architecture,  statuary,  painting,  eloquence, 
heroism,  and  song,  in  their  grandest  exhibitions,  fur- 
nished alluring  illustrations.  For  ages  at  this  glowing 
center  the  brilliant  souls  of  the  world  were  fired;  and 
scarce  a  ray  of  intellectual  light — save  that  which  issues 
from  the  Bible — has  met  the  eyeball  of  a  mortal,  that 
did  not  start  from  this  central  sun. 

It  was  this  great  university  that  made  Greece  the 
schoolmistress  of  mankind.  No  sooner  were  the  lights 
of  Greece,  and  their  reflections  at  Rome,  extinguished, 
than  the  world  lowered  herself  into  the  tomb  of  the  dark 
ages,  from  which  she  did  not  begin  to  arise  till  Charles 
I,  of  France,  established  institutions  of  learning  in  every 
convent  and  cathedral  throughout  his  dominions.  Early 
in  the  thirteenth  century,  the  university  of  Paris  being 
established,  and  a  few  years  subsequently  those  of  Oxford 
and  Vienna,  France,  England,  and  Austria  advanced  in 
literature;  and  it  is  perhaps  owing  to  these  universities 
more  than  to  all  other  causes,  that  those  countries  have 
swayed  such  an  overwhelming  influence,  in  modern  times, 
in  the  affairs  of  the  world.  To  what  do  we  trace  our 
literature  ?  Whence  come  the  Popes,  the  Addisons, 
the  Miltons  ?  whence  the  Pitts,  and  Sheridans,  and 
Johnstons?  whence  the  Halls  and  the  Wbatelys?  True, 
there  are  remarkable  exceptions,  in  whom  genius,  fed  by 
an  unseen  perennial  spring,  rises  like  the  oak  in  the 
desert.  But  perhaps  these  very  instances  are  indebted 
to  the  fountain  of  some  college  for  the  waters  which 
nourish  and  refresh  them. 

2.  Colleges  are  needed  to  promote  the  progress  of  arts 


»  NECESSITY    OP    COLLEGES.  285 

and  sciences.  Important  discoveries  and  inventions  are 
generally  made  by  educated  men.  To  trace  the  relations 
of  any  phenomenon,  and  direct  it  to  valuable  purposes, 
requires  that  patient,  systematic  reflection  which  can 
result  only — as  a  general  rule — from  proper  mental  dis- 
cipline. To  notice  the  tendencies  of  the  magnetic  needle 
was  one  thing,  but  to  apply  it  to  navigation  was  another; 
to  observe  and  register  the  appearances  of  the  heavenly 
bodies  requires  but  little  knowledge,  but  to  trace  the 
laws  in  obedience  to  which  they  move,  demands  a  mind 
of  the  highest  order.  The  princes  in  philosophy,  astron- 
omy, and  psychology,  were  alumni  of  the  college. 

3.  Colleges  are  needful  to  prepare  young  men  for  the 
learned  professions.  It  will  cheerfully  be  conceded  that 
mental  discipline  is  a  prerequisite  to  professional  studies. 
The  collegiate  course  confers  this  advantage,  as  will  ap- 
pear from  a  glance  at  what  it  embraces ;  namely,  mathe- 
matics, ancient  languages,  natural  science,  and  intel- 
lectual and  moral  philosophy.  That  mathematics  has  a 
tendency  to  qualify  the  mind  for  strong,  patient,  and 
consecutive  thought,  no  one  will  deny.  In  this  science 
the  soul  must  keep  its  eyes  wide  open,  and  guide  its 
powers  in  vigorous,  onward  movement,  till  it  has  evolved 
the  required  truth.  It  may  be  compared  to  a  long  ladder, 
with  smooth  and  regular  rounds :  the  mind  can  gain  the 
summit  by  constant,  careful,  and  progressive  motion ; . 
but  a  single  misstep,  or  a  cessation  of  effort,  even  at  the 
last  round  but  one,  and,  like  the  stone  of  Sisiphus,  it 
rolls  down  to  the  foot.  Lead  the  mind  daily,  for  suc- 
cessive years,  up  this  ladder,  and  teach  it  always  to  sit 
down,  breathless,  it  may  be,  but  triumphant,  on  the  last 
round,  and  it  will  be  prepared  to  scale  walls  of  truth 
which  have  withstood  the  rude  assaults  of  the  battering 
ram  for  successive  ages  of  undisciplined  mental  warfare. 

The  study  of  ancient  languages  is  another  invaluable 


286  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

mode  of  mental  training;  one  which  has  risen  triumph- 
ant from  every  conflict  with  utilitarianism,  and  which, 
perhaps,  will  not  be  banished  from  the  halls  of  learning, 
till  the  sounding  of  the  last  trumpet.  The  chief  objec- 
tion to  it,  namely,  its  difficulty,  proves  its  importance. 
It  brings  the  mind  into  communion  with  the  master 
spirits  of  other  and  golden  ages,  and  by  constantly  pre- 
senting the  most  splendid  creations  of  fancy,  and  the 
finest  models  of  style,  fires  the  imagination  and  purifies 
the  taste.  It  is  not  unfavorable  to  faith.  God  is  the 
author  of  language  no  less  than  of  nature,  and  he  has 
impressed  his  invisible  Spirit  upon  the  one  as  he  has 
enstamped  his  almighty  hand  upon  the  other.  We  see 
the  Spirit  breathing  through  the  souls  even  of  uninspired 
men,  and  writing  simple,  eternal  truth  in  characters  of 
living  light  on  even  the  darkest  pages  of  error  and  con- 
fusion. The  being  and  perfections  of  God  stand  forth 
no  less  vividly  in  the  conversations  of  Socrates  than  in 
the  lamps  of  heaven.  There  is  a  world  of  mind  as  well 
as  of  matter,  and  language  is  the  medium  in  which  its 
forms  are  cast. 

We  may  see  God  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  but  yet 
more  clearly  may  we  trace  his  red  right  hand  in  the  thua- 
der  and  lightning  of  the  blind  old  man  of  Scio's  rocky  isle. 
When  France  abandoned  the  study  of  languages  for  that 
of  matter  and  mathematics,  she  plunged  headlong  into 
vice  and  Atheism.  The  study  of  languages  opens  rich 
mines  of  thought,  in  which  the  treasures  of  the  noblest 
intellects  of  the  race  have  been  stored.  Account  for  it 
as  we  may,  there  were  ages  in  the  history  of  ancient 
states,  when  mind  heaved  up  mountain  thoughts  from 
deep  foundations.  The  floods  of  time  have  washed  away 
the  glittering  dust  from  the  regions  of  early  literature, 
but  left  standing  the  eternal  hills  with  their  veins  of 
golden  ore.     Law  still  digs  in  the  Tribonian  code;  physic 


NECESSITY    or    COLLEGES.  287 

explores  Galen  and  Hippocrates;  philosophy,  even  in  the 
eighteenth  century,  mines  in  the  depths  of  Aristotle; 
the  student  finds  his  parallelograms  and  triangles  in 
Euclid;  Demosthenes  is  yet  the  model  of  the  orator; 
and  there  is  Homer,  like  Chimhorazo.  Hail,  blind 
old  bard  1  The  purest  streams  of  modern  literature  are 
drawn  from  classic  fountains,  and  flow  in  classic  beds. 
Nor  can  the  transparent  purity  of  their  waters,  nor  the 
value  of  their  treasures  be  fully  perceived  by  one  who  is 
ignorant  of  the  language  of  Greece  and  Rome.  The 
classics  are  necessary  to  lead  us  to  Siloam's  well.  Every 
man  is  indebted  to  the  lexicon  for  opening  his  way  to 
the  fountain  of  life. 

The  natural  sciences  are  conceded  by  all  to  be  appro- 
priate means  of  education.  Botany,  geology,  mineralogy, 
chemistry,  and  natural  philosophy,  opening  the  secrets 
of  material  nature,  glittering  with  recent  and  brilliant 
discoveries,  and  offering  the  richest  rewards  to  their  cul- 
tivators, are  too  fascinating  to  be  neglected  in  any  insti- 
tution in  the  civilized  world ;  nor  are  they  without  their 
influence  in  disciplining  the  mind;  they  cultivate  hab- 
its of  attention,  abstraction,  and  generalization;  they 
strengthen  the  memory  and  the  reason,  and  furnish  beau- 
tiful and  impressive  illustrations  for  intellectual  and  moral 
subjects 

The  philosophy  of  the  mind  has  in  all  ages  been  re- 
garded as  an  indispensable  branch  of  education.  It 
explains  the  faculties  of  the  soul,  and  the  laws  of  thought 
and  feeling,  and  with  its  kindred  sciences  unfolds  the 
principles  of  investigation  and  reasoning;  teaching  how 
to  detect  and  expose  fallacy,  remove  obscurity,  develop 
truth,  and  show  the  foundation  on  which  it  stands. 
Mathematics  train  the  mind  for  that  reasoning  in  which 
we  proceed  from  one  judgment  to  another  founded  upon 
it — the  premises  being  admitted,  and  the  object  being 


288  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

to  disclose  what  is  enveloped  in  previously-admitted 
propositions.  But  there  is  another  kind  of  reasoning 
which  implies  investigation,  where  the  degree  of  evi- 
dence for  doubtful  propositions  must  be  weighed,  and  the 
correctness  of  inductions  determined.  For  this  species 
of  investigation  mental  philosophy  offers  the  appropriate 
training. 

The  Bible,  concerning  itself  with  the  eternal  interests 
of  man,  belongs  to  every  part  of  the  system  of  edu- 
cation; any  scheme  which  excludes  this  must  be  infi- 
nitely deficient.  I  have  sketched  the  plan  of  collegiate 
education  as  established  in  England  and  in  this  coun- 
try. It  is  approved  by  the  greatest  minds  of  both 
hemispheres;  it  has  stood  the  test  of  centuries;  it  pro- 
duced the  illustrious  founders  of  English  literature, 
and  the  fathers  of  the  freest,  wisest,  purest  people  on 
whom  the  sun  looks  down. 

I  have  spoken  of  the  college  course  as  a  preparatory 
discipline  for  professional  pursuits.  There  are  some  parts 
of  it  which  have  special  value  in  particular  professions; 
for  instance,  the  Latin  is  almost  indispensable  to  the 
student  in  law  or  medicine.  All  the  technical  language 
of  these  professions  has  been  cast  in  the  Latin  tongue, 
which  for  many  centuries  was  the  only  medium  of  com- 
munication in  the  world  of  letters,  and  which  contains 
immense  stores  of  valuable  truth,  inaccessible  to  those 
who  have  never  mastered  its  grammar.  Granted  that  we 
have  many  excellent  physicians  who  have  no  knowledge 
of  the  dead  languages;  but  how  few  are  known  beyond 
the  limits  of  their  immediate  practice  ?  It  is  inquired, 
did  not  the  ancients  fall  into  error?  Their  theories  may 
be  worthless,  but  their  facts  are  invaluable.  Because  the 
scientific  methods  of  the  present  day  are  superior  to  those 
of  the  ancients,  shall  we  contemptuously  cast  away  the 
accumulated  experience  of  antecedent  ages  ? 


NECESSITY    OP    COLLEGES.  289 

Natural  philosophy  is  important  to  the'  physician.  The 
heart  and  arteries  are  a  hydraulic  apparatus;  the  muscles 
are  arranged  according  to  the  laws  of  mechanics;  the 
eye  is  an  optical  instrument;  the  ear  can  not  be  studied 
without  a  desire  to  know  the  laws  of  acoustics;  the 
lungs  are  a  pneumatic  machine ;  and  though  the  organs 
of  living  beings  are  governed  by  a  set  of  peculiar  laws, 
yet  over  these  are  thrown,  as  an  outside  garment,  the 
laws  of  the  inanimate  world.  He  who  has  ever  had 
cause  to  suspend  a  bruised  arm,  has  felt  the  influence  of 
gravity  over  the  circulation  of  the  blood.  Chemistry  and 
botany  are  intimately  concerned  with  the  materials  of 
cure,  and  ignorance  of  these  sciences  is  unpardonable  in 
a  physician. 

All  parts  of  the  collegiate  course  are  important  to  the 
clergyman,  but  especially  the  classics.  These  will  give 
him  access  to  the  fathers,  to  the  documents  of  the 
Church,  to  the  works  of  the  reformers ;  above  all,  to  the 
Bible,  undiluted  by  translation.  What  an  indescribable 
pleasure  to  trace  to  their  roots  the  words  primarily  used 
by  the  Spirit,  and  ascertain  the  precise  ideas  they  were 
intended  to  convey !  In  controversy  with  the  heretic, 
the  skeptic,  the  schismatic,  we  often  find  a  knowledge 
of  the  dead  languages  indispensable. 

Providence  seems  to  have  trained  his  chief  instru- 
ments for  religious  purposes  by  an  elegant  education. 
Moses  was  learned  in  all  the  wisdom  of  the  Egyptians. 
Paul  was  versed  not  only  in  Jewish  history  and  law,  but 
in  heathen  poets,  one  of  whom  he  quotes  with  fine  eflfect 
on  Mars'  Hill.  Did  not  his  education  give  him  influence 
at  Jerusalem,  at  Athens,  and  at  Rome,  and  qualify  him 
to  plead  his  Master's  cause  in  the  imperial  city,  and 
did  it  not  also  help  him  when  before  Agrippa  and  the 
Areopagus  ? 

When  darkness  and  vice  bad  oversuread  Christendom, 
25 


EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

on  whom  did  God  fix  to  bring  in  the  light  ?  Luther  was 
a  professor  in  the  University  of  Wittemburg;  Knox  a 
graduate  of  St.  Andrews;  Melancthon  a  professor  of 
Greek;  Calvin,  Beza,  Zuinglius,  and  their  coadjutors, 
were  among  the  most  eminent  classical  scholars  of  their 
age.  When,  at  a  subsequent  period,  the  English  Church 
sunk  into  lethargy,  who  roused  her  from  her  slumbers? 
Wesley  and  Fletcher  were  profound  scholars  and  distin- 
guished linguists.  And  who  were  Clarke,  and  Watson, 
and  Benson,  and  Bunting? 

In  the  present  intelligent  age,  which  plants  a  college 
on  every  inviting  eminence,  and  spreads  education  wide 
as  the  light,  the  standard  of  education,  in  all  the  profes- 
sions, must  rapidly  ascend.  That  people  which  suffers 
not  the  painter  to  approach  his  canvas,  nor  the  statuary 
bis  marble,  nor  the  physician  his  patient,  without  a  culti- 
vated mind,  will  not  turn  a  listening  ear  to  him  who  as- 
sumes to  guide  undying  souls  to  truth,  and  God,  and 
heaven,  without  having  trained  his  own.  In  vain  you 
reason  with  the  world  against  her  demands  for  an  edu- 
cated ministry,  while  it  is  educating  itself:  as  well  try  to 
stop  the  granite  mountain  from  bursting  upward  by  vol- 
oamc  force. 

The  present  age  is  one  of  controversy.  It  seems  as 
though  all  the  elements  of  faith  were  dissevered,  and 
brought  under  the  play  of  new  affinities.  Error  comes 
forth  in  numerous  and  imposing  forms,  and  with  bold 
and  powerful  advocates.  When  did  classical  Cathol- 
icism more  terribly  threaten  destruction  to  the  Protestant 
Church?  Infidelity  is  not  what  she  once  was — sly,  snarl- 
ing, armed  only  with  points,  antitheses,  and  puns — but, 
with  face,  footstep,  arm,  worthy  an  archangel  ruined,  she 
ransacks  science,  nature,  antiquity,  for  intellectual  arms : 
now  grinning  on  the  bights  of  Mexico;  now  raising  her 
horrid  form  above  the  deep;  now  wandering  by  night 


NB-OESSITT    OP    COLLEGES.  291 

along  the  banks  of  the  Nile  with  a  shriveled  mummy, 
and  anon  examining  the  tombs  and  forged  chronologies  of 
Asia.  Finally  assuming  the  garb  of  an  angel  of  light, 
and  kindling  her  taper  at  Cecropia's  fires,  she  retires  to  a 
university,  and  endeavors,  by  dint  of  surpassing  learn- 
ing, and  without  touching  the  walls  or  columns  of  the 
Church,  to  rob  her  of  both  altar  and  God.  Such  is  the 
enemy;  and  shall  we  expect  to  vanquish  him  with  old 
weapons?  Would  you  meet  the  steam-gun  with  a  Roman 
spear?  Up!  up!  let  us  anoint  our  souls  for  conflict — 
conflict  such  as  will  shake  earth's  foundations.  True, 
God's  word  is  the  only  weapon;  but  shall  we  not  draw 
it  from  the  sheath  of  error  in  which  the  enemy  hath 
wrapped  it,  and  clean  its  gleaming  edge?  True,  God's 
strength  must  plunge  it  in  the  foe;  but  shall  we  not 
wield  it  with  practiced  and  anointed  arm?  I  fear  not 
for  the  Church.  Like  the  storm-trained  bird,  she  soars 
highest  in  the  rage  of  the  tempest.  Nevertheless,  she 
must  spread  a  plumed  wing  upon  the  blast. 

Superstition  and  enthusiasm  are  rife  and  ruinous  in  our 
times.  The  one  is  seen  in  the  observance  of  uncom- 
manded  rites,  the  other  in  the  substitution  of  earthly 
for  heavenly  ardors.  These  foes  hover  on  the  rear  and 
flank  of  Israel's  host;  and  having  stolen  their  banners 
and  armor,  often  make  slaughter  without  rousing  resist- 
ance. As  we  can  not  know  them  by  their  armor  we  must 
detect  them  by  their  shibboleth.  Credulity  is  a  still 
more  fearful  foe;  and  never,  since  the  dark  ages,  has  it 
made  more  terrible  havoc  than  at  present.  It  is  poison- 
ing all  the  wells  of  life.  Let  Israel's  captain  carry  a 
bottle  of  logic  with  him  wherever  he  moves,  that  he  may 
drop  a  little  of  it  into  every  pitcher  he  draws,  and  thus 
detect  and  precipitate  the  poison. 

Another  demand  for  education  in  the  ministry  is 
founded  in  missionary  enterprises.     One  hundred  years 


2P2  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ago  the  Church  concerned  herself  but  little  for  the 
heathen  :  now  she  feels  guilty  if  she  do  not  consecrate 
all  her  powers  to  evangelize  the  world.  Her  great  object 
can  not  be  accomplished,  however,  without  missionaries; 
nor  is  any  one  well  qualified  for  a  mission  to  pagan  lands 
without  a  finished  education.  New  languages  must  be 
acquired,  the  Bible  translated,  and  the  prejudices  of 
ages  overcome.  Little  would  the  Careys  or  the  Morri- 
sons have  achieved  without  classical  education. 

To  the  clerical  profession  is  assigned,  by  common  con- 
sent, the  control  of  literary  institutions.  Other  profes- 
sions are  so  lucrative,  that  no  man  of  distinction  will  for- 
sake any  of  them  to  manage  a  college :  moreover,  the  in- 
fluence of  religion  is  found  indispensable  to  college  disci- 
pline. If  a  Church  will  not  have  an  educated  ministry, 
she  must  consent  to  see  all  the  literary  institutions  of 
the  land  in  the  hands  of  sister  denominations;  and  if  so, 
she  will  find  her  sons  and  daughters,  in  the  next  genera- 
tion, within  the  pale  of  those  denominations. 

I  notice  a  few  objections: 

(1.)  "We  are  departing  from  the  old  landmarks.  Were 
not  the  preachers  of  Mr.  Wesley  ignorant  men  ?  and  did 
they  not  put  to  shame  the  learned  clergy  of  the  Estab- 
lished Church?  Were  not  our  fathers,  the  Garrettsons 
and  the  Lees,  before  whom  the  bulwarks  of  error  fell, 
uneducated?  Can  not  what  has  been  done  be  repeated?" 
Mr.  Wesley's  coadjutors  were  generally  men  of  extraordi- 
nary intellect  and  energy:  some  of  them  were  learned 
and  eloquent,  and  all  distinguished  by  ardent  piety  and 
untiring  industry.  During  the  lifetime  of  Mr.  Wesley 
they  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  his  counsel  and  guidance : 
they  coasted  the  new  continent  of  theology  by  the  light- 
houses which  he  had  erected;  and  when  assailed  in- 
trenched themselves  behind  the  bulwarks  which  the  clas- 
sical  Fletcher   had   reared.     Upon  the   decease  of   the 


NECESSITY    OF    COLLEGES.  293 

Wesleys  and  Fletcher,  there  sprang  up  a  host  of  scholars, 
such  as  Clarke  and  Watson  across  the  ocean,  and  Emory 
and  Fisk  in  the  United  States.  Few  Churches  can  pro- 
duce a  century  of  richer  literature  than  that  of  Meth- 
odism. The  circumstances  of  our  fathers  were  different 
from  ours :  ignorance  was  more  general,  the  Church  more 
apathetic,  and  Methodist  doctrines  and  mode  of  preach- 
ing were  novel  and  alluring. 

(2.)  "The  great  body  of  Methodist  clergymen  have 
never  had  collegiate  training."  True,  and  it  may  be  di- 
vided into  two  classes:  the  one,  idle  and  mortified  at 
their  loss  of  influence,  declaim  against  colleges  as  though 
they  could  maintain  their  relative  importance  by  striving 
to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  community;  the  other,  un- 
der a  feeling  of  responsibility  to  God  and  the  Church, 
make  constant  efforts  to  overtake  their  brethren  of  better 
attainments,  and  lead  on  their  people  to  the  van  of  Zion's 
army.  The  latter,  sighing  in  secret  "over  the  ghosts  of 
departed  hours,"  and  lamenting  the  want  of  early  train- 
ing, though  incumbered  by  family  cares  and  pastoral 
duties,  and  oppressed  by  poverty  and  affliction,  ascend 
with  fearless  foot  the  rugged  bights  of  science;  and 
though  they  never  obtain  a  diploma,  often  reach  an  emi- 
nence where  a  diploma  may  be  scorned.  Sons  worthy  of 
Wesley,  worthy  of  Methodism,  born  and  baptized  within 
the  walls  of  Oxford,  they  are  the  strongest  advocates  for 
learning  between  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  Gulf. 

(3.)  But  it  is  asked,  "  Were  not  the  apostles  ignorant 
men?"  For  the  sake  of  argument,  I  grant  it;  but  they 
were  inspired:  they  wrought  miracles;  they  uttered 
unmingled  wisdom;  their  words  were  God's.  When  min- 
isters can  raise  the  dead  they  may  dispense  with  education. 
But  were  the  apostles  ignorant?  Did  not  Jesus  keep 
them  under  his  pupilage  three  years,  and  by  a  miracle 
make  them  all  classical  scholars?     Let  a  man  learn  to 


294  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

read  and  write  Grreek,  and  talk  in  all  the  languages  of 
the  earth,  before  he  boasts  of  equal  learning  with  the 
apostles. 

(4.)  It  is  said,  "Colleges  will  be  perverted,  and  the 
ministry  will  be  regarded  as  a  mere  learned  profession,  to 
which  any  man  may  be  trained."  In  other  words,  the 
Church,  when  she  becomes  learned,  will  cease  to  be  pious, 
and  fall  into  error.  Is  it  so,  that  the  more  man  knows 
of  the  works  of  the  Creator,  the  less  is  he  disposed  to 
venerate  him?  What!  is  not  the  study  of  nature  one 
of  the  employments  of  heaven  ?  and  is  not  one  element 
of  its  praises  the  sublime  song,  "Great  and  marvelous 
are  thy  works.  Lord  God  Almighty?"  Did  the  study 
of  mind  make  Locke  an  infidel,  or  the  examination  of 
nature  make  Newton  a  Deist?  Do  all  the  forms  of  error 
and  schism  issue  from  cultivated  intellect?  We  are 
very  fearful  of  the  errors  of  education:  but  is  there  no 
fear  from  those  of  ignorance?  Errors  do  not  always 
issue,  Minerva-like,  from  the  Church's  brain,  but  oftener 
slough  off  from  her  gangrened  extremities. 

According  to  my  observation,  true  knowledge  has  a 
favorable  effect  on  faith.  Revivals  of  religion  are  as  fre- 
quent, as  powerful,  and  as  permanent  in  colleges  and 
seminaries  as  in  any  of  our  Churches.  Thousands  of  the 
brightest  ornaments  of  Zion  were  converted  to  God  in 
institutions  of  learning.  I  have  seen  much  of  Christian 
character,  in  all  its  forms.  I  have  witnessed  it  in  the 
negro's  hut,  the  sailor's  hammock,  the  Indian's  wigwam, 
the  convict's  cell,  and  the  rich  man's  mansion — I  have 
seen  it  in  the  ocean's  storm,  the  chamber  of  sickness, 
the  pillow  of  the  dying,  and  the  house  of  the  dead ;  but 
never  have  I  witnessed  a  more  triumphant  faith,  nor  a 
roore  lovely  exemplification  of  all  the  graces  that  adorn 
the  Christian  character,  than  I  have  witnessed  within  the 
halls  of  learning.     I  have  never  yet  known  a  man   t-o 


NEOEBSITY    OF    COLLEGES.  295 

enter  a  seminary  a  Christian  and  depart  an  infidel;  but 
many  have  I  known  to  enter  the  hall  of  learning  infidels, 
who  are  now  stars  in  the  firmament  of  the  Church. 

(5.)  "The  ministry  is  of  divine  origin,  and  needs  no  aid 
from  learning."  I  grant  the  office  of  the  ministry  is  pe- 
culiar. The  ministar  is  divinely  commissioned,  qualified, 
and  aided.  He  has  peculiar  feelings.  While  he  groans 
beneath  a  load  that  might  make  an  angel  cry  out,  "Who 
is  sufficient  for  these  things?"  he  pillows  his  aching  head 
on  the  bosom  of  Jesus,  and  says,  in  the  depths  of  his 
heart,  "I  can  do  all  things,  through  Christ,  which 
strengtheneth  me."  His  ideas  of  the  soul,  its  value,  its 
dangers,  the  necessity  of  its  immediate  salvation — his 
visions  of  the  throne  of  the  final  Judge,  the  fires  of  the 
last  day,  the  wine-press  of  Divine  vengeance,  and  the 
glory  of  the  redeemed,  compel  him  to  be  eloquent. 
When  he  hears  the  wailings  of  the  lost,  or  listens  to  the 
praises  of  the  redeemed,  or  gazes  upon  the  dying  victim 
of  Calvary,  though  without  learning,  he  stands  the  very 
personification  of  wisdom,  and  without  rhetoric  the  per- 
sonification of  eloquence.  Who  shall  describe  the  phys- 
ical energy  of  the  man  who  sees  his  fellow  upon  the 
verge  of  a  burning  house,  and  lifts  the  ladder  for  his  res- 
cue ?  What  angel  can  describe  the  intellectual  power  of 
that  man  who  sees  his  brother's  soul  upon  the  very  mouth 
of  the  pit,  and  the  flames  of  perdition  curling  around  him  ? 

The  minister  receives  Divine  aid.  It  is  stated  of  a 
celebrated  clergyman,  that  he  dreamed  one  night  that  he 
was  preaching,  and  that  the  altar  was  full  of  angels, 
looking  with  interest,  first  upon  him  apd  then  upon 
the  audience,  marking  the  effect  of  every  syllable  as  it  fell 
upon  each  soul.  The  next  day  he  preached,  and  the 
bare  thought  of  his  dream  inspired  him  with  unearthly 
eloquence.  But  the  man  of  God  may,  if  he  will,  see  by 
faith  a  greater  sight  than  this — the  eye  of  Jesus  looking 


296  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

for  the  purchase  of  his  blood,  and  watching  with  anxiety 
the  movements  of  his  lips.  The  prophet,  with  anointed 
vision,  saw  himself  encompassed  with  chariots  of  fire; 
but  the  preacher  sees  around  him  an  invisible  God.  And 
then  there  is  an  anointing  of  the  soul,  a  sanctifying  energy 
in  the  word,  a  preparation  of  the  audience,  which  spreads 
a  sense  of  the  Divine  presence,  and  makes  the  entrance 
of  the  word  give  life. 

"  When  one  who  holds  communion  with  the  skies, 
And  dips  his  urn  where  those  pure  waters  rise, 
Doth  once  more  mingle  with  us  meaner  things. 
As  though  an  angel  shook  his  wings, 
Immortal  fragrance  spreads  the  circuit  wide. 
And  tells  us  whence  his  treasures  are  supplied." 

Notwithstanding  all  this  an  apostle  says,  "Give  attend- 
ance to  reading,  to  exhortation,  to  doctrine,  meditate 
upon  these  things,  give  thyself  wholly  to  them,  that  thy 
profiting  may  appear  to  all." 

4.  Colleges  are  necessary  to  popular  education.  In 
vain  may  government  make  munificent  endowments  for 
common  schools  unless  colleges  furnish  qualified  teachers. 
To  suppose  that  any  man  may  teach  a  child  is  a  great 
mistake.  Scarce  any  employment  demands  more  mental 
discipline,  and  furniture,  and  elevation,  than  that  of  the 
school-teacher.  He  unites  the  offices  of  president,  pro- 
fessor, and  tutor.  lie  needs  to  be  a  walking  encyclope- 
dia. Would  it  not  be  better  to  divert  school  funds  to  the 
endowments  of  colleges,  than  to  neglect  colleges,  and  pay 
exclusive  attention  to  common  schools?  From  the  col- 
lege there  will  go  forth  the  qualified  teacher;  and  though 
there  may  be  a  total  neglect  of  the  district  school,  he 
will  soon  attract  children  around  him,  and  draw  forth  an 
adequate  support.  But  neglect  the  college,  and  your 
school  fund  will  be  squandered — ^your  children  abused. 

Colleges  are  the  foundations  of  our  liberties — the  bul- 


NECESSITY    OF    COLLEGES.  297 

warks  of  our  freedom.  New  England  and  Virginia  col- 
leges gave  us  Adams,  Hawley,  Hancock,  Jefferson — the 
lights  of  the  Continental  Congress.  They  furnished  the 
eloquence  which  roused  the  colonies,  and  the  bravery 
which  first  poured  out  its  blood  in  the  cause  of  Ameri- 
can liberty.  To  them  we  are  indebted  not  only  for  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  American  Constitu- 
tion, but  for  that  general  intelligence  without  which  our 
liberties  would  be  valueless.  We  owe  New  England  much 
for  her  Hancocks  and  Warrens,  but  more  for  her  school- 
masters. 

The  freedom  of  a  country  depends  upon  its  intelli- 
gence. Grovernment  always  shapes  itself  to  the  character 
of  its  subjects.  Gro  to  the  regions  of  darkness,  and  you 
find  despotism  binding  on  its  fetters;  and  ascending,  you 
find  that,  as  the  light  increases,  the  fetters  loosen,  till 
you  reach  the  summit,  where  you  have  the  American 
Constitution. 

Without  general  intelligence  liberty  is  a  curse.  Sylla 
offered  liberty  to  Rome;  but  she  preferred  to  the  prof- 
fered freedom  a  despot  like  himself,  who  could  shed  the 
blood  of  six  thousand  countrymen  in  a  day,  and  coolly 
say  to  the  inquiring  senate,  alarmed  at  the  groans  of  the 
dying  Romans,  that  he  was  merely  chastising  a  few  reb- 
els. She  thought  it  better  to  have  a  royal  tyrant,  than  to 
unbind  the  cords  from  an  ignorant  multitude,  and  let  un- 
numbered daggers  leap  from  their  scabbards.  How  was 
it  under  the  feudal  system?  The  petty  landholders 
found  it  necessary  to  become  the  slaves  of  some  despotic 
baron,  to  protect  themselves  from  a  host  of  inferior  but 
more  unreasonable  tyrants.  Under  Charles  I,  the  Eng- 
lish people  asserted  their  freedom;  but  what  was  the 
state  of  things  under  the  Commonwealth?  Party  against 
party,  and  man  against  man,  till  Charles  II  was  hailed  as 
a  deliverer. 


298  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

The  South  American  states,  with  all  the  advantages 
of  our  example,  encouragement,  and  counsel,  have  failed 
to  establish  free  government.  It  is  impossible  to  make 
a  people  free  in  advance  of  their  intelligence.  Much  as 
I  love  liberty,  I  would  not,  if  I  could,  wave  the  star- 
spangled  banner  at  the  head  of  every  army.  There  are 
nations  who  would  tear  it  to  pieces  in  less  than  twenty- 
four  hours.  What  shall  preserve  American  liberties  ? 
Not  armies,  nor  navies,  but  colleges  and  churches. 

But  it  is  asked,  "■  Whence  the  necessity  of  so  much 
money?"  The  college  should  be  the  depository  of  the 
learning  of  ages.  We  need  a  library  such  as  might  serve 
a  republic.  Many  in  their  veneration  for  the  Bible  re- 
fuse all  other  books,  and  use,  with  a  little  variation,  the 
syllogism  of  the  Saracen  invader,  when  he  burned  the 
Alexandrian  Library:  "If  these  books  contain  what  is 
in  the  Koran,  they  are  not  wanted;  if  they  contain  what 
is  not  in  the  Koran,  they  ought  to  be  burned."  But  we 
hope  they  will  not  go  so  far  as  to  burn  our  books.  If 
these  men  build  with  stone  axes,  let  them  not  deny  us 
the  benefit  of  modern  art.  We  need  extensive  appa- 
ratus. This  is  necessary  for  the  instruction  of  the  stu- 
dent. It  is  requisite  for  other  purposes.  Should  a 
Watt,  or  a  Davy,  or  a  Fulton,  wish  to  make  experiments, 
with  a  view  to  the  improvement  of  some  machinery  to 
extend  the  dominion  of  man  over  matter,  the  college 
should  present  him  with  the  means.  Should  some  new 
mineral  be  shot  from  the  heavens,  or  picked  up  on  the 
field,  the  college  should  be  able  to  efi'ect  its  analysis. 
We  need  an  extensive  cabinet,  to  receive  from  past  ages 
their  natural  and  artificial  curiosities,  and  to  treasure  up 
our  own,  and  transmit  both  to  posterity.  The  college 
should  not  be  a  little  tread-mill,  but  a  vast  field,  em- 
bracing the  universe  in  miniature,  and  ofi"ering  for  con- 
templation every  variety  of  the  Creator's  work. 


NECESSITY     OP    COLLEGES.  299 

The  college  should  have  its  professorships  endowed, 
and  thus  be  able  to  offer  its  advantages  to  the  poor  as 
well  as  the  rich.  If  colleges  were  unendowed,  they 
would  be  accessible  only  to  the  sons  of  fortune,  and  con- 
sequently would  be  of  little  value  to  community.  The 
sons  of  rich  men,  relying  on  their  inheritance,  are  gen- 
erally idle,  and  even  when  they  leave  a  college  with 
honor,  promise  little  to  community.  They  have  no  in- 
ducement to  enter  the  professions,  or  into  agricultural  or 
commercial  enterprise;  and  the  business  of  teaching 
they  regard  with  scorn.  The  great  benefit  of  the  col- 
lege arises  from  its  endowment.  It  is  this  which  opens 
its  hall  to  the  poor,  prevents  a  monopoly  of  learning  in 
the  hands  of  the  rich,  and  trains  up  the  vigorous  minds 
of  the  age  to  bless  their  own  and  succeeding  generations. 

5.  "Men  may  educate  themselves."  I  affirm  this  with 
emphasis,  and  would  impress  it.  I  admire  the  self-edu- 
cated man.  Who  is  he?  Not  that  half-educated,  self- 
conceited,  self-willed  being,  who  grins  at  his  errors,  and 
congratulates  himself  that  he  has  "never  been  to  col- 
lege ;"  but  that  noble  spirit  who,  in  defiance  of  poverty 
and  difficulty,  mounts,  with  untiring  foot,  the  rugged 
precipice  of  science,  and  cheerfully  beckons  the  world 
upward  to  his  lofty  eminence.  Can  not  a  man  be  great 
without  a  college?  A  rational,  undying  soul,  dropped 
from  heaven  into  a  beautiful  universe,  ought  to  conceive 
immortal  thought.  A  spirit,  leaping  from  the  bosom 
of  God,  and  sweeping  the  compass  of  created^  things, 
should  give  out  sparks  from  collision  with  its  fellow- 
spirit.  What  though  the  soul  have  no  books  1  Can  it 
not  launch  upon  the  ocean  of  truth,  and  ascending  the 
topmast,  see  far  into  the  dim  distances  of  philosophy,  or 
plunging  into  the  abyss  of  its  own  powers,  bring  up  jewels 
from  hidden  caves,  or  hanging  the  rich  harp-strings  of 
its  heart  to  the  wild  winds  of  heaven,  waken  tones  that 


1^  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

miglit  chord  with  the  song  of  the  skies  ?  Nature  is  full 
of  sciences.  Has  ancient  hand  gathered  every  truth  from 
the  earth,  and  swept  every  lesson  from  the  heaven  ?  If 
Mediterranean  islands  inspired  immortal  song,  can  not 
the  scenes  of  a  new  world  wake  intellect  and  heart  to 
action  ?  Is  there  no  green  upon  our  earth,  no  freshness 
in  our  ocean  ?  is  there  no  wildness  in  our  rocks,  no  maj- 
esty on  our  mountains,  no  music  in  our  bubbling  runnels, 
no  glory  in  our  matchless  streams?  Answer,  ye  beau- 
teous vales  and  sunny  hills — Alleghanies  and  Andes ; 
speak  Mississippi,  and  Huron,  and  Erie ;  and  thou,  Ni- 
agara, thunder  the  lie  to  such  an  imputation.  But  it  is 
said,  as  the  mythology  of  Greece  and  Rome  spread  a 
charm  over  nature,  and  stimulated  human  intellect  to  the 
highest  point  of  sublimity,  therefore  we  have  not  such  ad- 
vantages for  the  production  of  noble  conception.  I  repel 
with  scorn  the  charge.  What  though  no  Satyrs  dance 
upon  the  green,  no  Fauns  and  Dryads  hide  among  our 
oaks,  no  Neptune  rises  from  our  waves,  no  Jupiter  thun- 
ders in  our  heavens — what  though  no  -^olus  rides  upon 
the  imprisoned  storm,  no  wind-footed  Iris  spreads  her 
wings  upon  the  rainbow,  yet  above  all,  and  through  all, 
and  in  all,  there  rises  on  the  Christian  the  great  I  Am, 
before  whose  face  heathen  gods  and  goddesses  fly,  and 
there  is  no  place  found  for  them.  Though  the  infidel 
may  bathe  his  soul  for  thirty,  forty,  fifty  years  in  a  uni- 
verse filled  with  God,  and,  by  some  strange  chemistry  of 
depravity,  preserve  his  soul  in  a  vacuum,  from  which  the 
Divinity  is  shut  out,  yet  the  Christian,  whether  in  hight 
or  depth,  in  things  present  or  things  to  come,  with  man 
or  with  angels,  in  life  or  in  death,  finds  his  spirit  plunged 
in  the  noblest  conceptions. 

Some  of  the  tallest,  strongest  thought  that  ever  leaped 
into  eternity  from  human  intellect,  sprang  from  self-edu- 
cated head.     Our  own  shores  have  produced,  without  the 


NECESSITY    OP    COLLEGES.  301 

aid  of  colleges,  some  of  the  finest  specimens  of  human 
nature.  Henry,  Washington,  Franklin,  Marshall,  have 
illustrated  their  country.  Their  names  will  be  pro- 
nounced with  veneration  long  as  Bunker  Hill,  or  the 
American  Constitution,  or  heaven's  own  lightning  is  a 
subject  of  contemplation  to  civilized  man.  The  soul  is 
full  of  sciences.  There  is  Shakspeare,  nature's  favorite, 
mighty  by  the  force  of  his  own  genius.  He  descends 
into  the  depths  of  his  own  soul.  Here  he  analyzes  mys- 
terious combinations  of  human  thought  and  feeling,  and 
combines  at  will  the  elements  of  motive  and  desire. 
Here  hangs  the  lamp  which  lights  him  through  the 
dark  mines  of  human  depravity;  and  here  he  finds  the 
battery  with  which  he  gives  the  world  successive  shocks. 
Revelation  is  full  of  sciences.  It  is  accessible  to  all. 
There  needs  no  geology  to  see  God  upon  its  Sinai,  no 
chemistry  to  gather  manna  from  its  wilderness,  no  math- 
ematics to  survey  its  Calvary.  True,  archaeology,  and  the 
classics,  and  history  may  throw  new  beauties  over  many 
of  its  fields,  and  reveal  a  thousand  hidden  treasures,- 
but,  void  of  them  all,  attended  by  simple  faith,  the 
soul  is  happy — its  feet  find  an  eternal  rock  for  their 
foundation — its  lungs  a  vital  breath,  and  all  its  senses 
are  charmed.  Diamonds  may  lie  concealed  in  its  mines, 
unknown  flowers  bloom  among  its  cedars,  but  all  that  is 
fundamental  and  essential  rises  like  Alpine  summits  to 
the  soul. 

Is  there  any  thing  in  religious  philosophy,  languages, 
mathematics,  or  natural  science,  which  can  not  be  sur- 
mounted by  a  vigorous,  unaided,  persevering  mind  ?  Let 
Euclid,  AVatt,  Davy,  Burritt  answer. 

Grant,  then,  that  a  man  can  educate  himself;  but  how 
few  would  ever  become  educated  if  left  to  themselves ! 
Man  is  naturally  indolent.  Were  not  appetite,  self-love, 
and  passion  strong,  he  would  lie  and  rot,  body  and  soul. 


EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

Though  ordinary  impulses  are  sufficient  to  excite  men  to 
physical  labor,  yet  they  are  inadequate  to  rouse  them  to 
intellectual  toil.  Of  those  who  resolve  to  educate  them- 
selves scarce  one  in  five  succeeds.  They  usually  start  off 
like  a  spirited  horse,  but  soon  tire,  and  find  they  have  no 
spur  sharp  enough  to  prick  the  sides  of  their  intent. 
Even  the  stimuli  of  the  college — emulation,  encourage- 
ment, the  task,  the  command — are  insufficient  in  four 
cases  out  of  ten.  The  most  powerful  and  resolute  that 
ever  gained  the  summit  of  fame,  has  often  found  a 
mountain  gorge,  where,  in  almost  utter  despair,  his  soul 
has  cried  out,  "Help!  help!  or  I  fall!"  The  blast  of 
the  bugle,  the  neighing  of  the  charger,  the  gleam  of 
the  battle-blade,  the  folds  of  the  banner,  the  thought 
of  home,  of  altar,  of  ancestral  graves,  the  vision  of  the 
vengeful  foe,  nerve  the  soldier's  foot  on  the  bloody 
hight;  but  when  the  student  comes  to  a  pass,  different, 
but  not  less  fearful  than  Thermopylae,  what  is  there  in 
the  retirement  of  the  study  to  supply  burning  coals  to 
his  chilled  heart-strings  ? 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  303 


f 00ir,  in  its  Sdatas  ia  It^iial  ^mm* 

I  SHOULD  have  promptly  declined  the  invitation  of 
your  Faculty  to  deliver  an  address,  at  this  Commence- 
ment, but  for  the  fact  that  I  declined  a  similar  invita- 
tion from  the  same  source,  on  last  year.  I  should  have 
done  so,  however,  not  from  any  unwillingness  to  gratify 
your  excellent  corps  of  instructors  or  to  contribute  my 
mite  toward  your  annual  collegiate  festivities,  but  because 
my  duties  and  my  state  of  health  deny  me  both  the 
time  and  the  elasticity  necessary  to  prepare  for  so  novel 
and  choice  an  occasion.  I  make  this  statement,  that  you 
may  neither  ascribe  the  crudeness  of  my  production  to  a 
want  of  respect  for  my  hearers,  nor  my  appearance  before 
you  to  an  insensibility  to  my  own  deficiencies,  but  that 
you  may  be  induced  to  give  me  an  indulgent  hearing,  by 
considering  that,  in  asking  your  attention,  I  oppress  ray- 
self,  to  avoid  the  imputation  of  disobliging  your  professors. 
I  experienced  no  little  embarrassment  in  the  selection 
of  a  theme,  and  it  was  not  till  after  much  reflection 
that  I  made  up  my  mind  to  commend  to  your  special 
attention  the  science  of  logic.  If  the  subject  be  deemed 
inappropriate,  lay  not  the  blame  on  your  Faculty,  who 
did  not  select,  or  even  suggest  it.  If  it  be  deemed  un- 
welcome, I  trust  you  will  pardon  the  speaker,  when  you 
learn,  that  he,  having  once  belonged  to  your  profession, 
and  felt  the  want  of  the  science  to  which    he  would 

*  An  address  delivered  before  the  Starling  Medical  College,  at  its  third 
annnal  Commencement,  1851. 


804  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

attract  your  attention,  would  fain  have  you  avoid  Bome 
of  the  difficulties  which  he  encountered. 

My  proposition  will  be  sustained,  by  glancing  at  the 
nature  of  the  science  alluded  to,  and  by  showing  that 
medical  men  are  not  likely  to  acquire  it,  in  their  ordinary 
professional  walks.  We  would  not  derogate  from  the 
merits  of  the  profession ;  rather  would  we  exalt  it. 
f  Logic  is  tJie  science  and  art  of  reasoning.  I  emphasize 
fthe  article  because  some  regard  logic  as  concerned  with 
a  species,  of  which  reasoning  is  the  genus;  whereas,  it  is 
the  only  science  and  art  of  reasoning:  he  who  reasons 
correctly,  must  reason  logically.  It  is  of  no  consequence 
to  object,  that  many,  who  are  versed  in  logic,  reason 
poorly;  for  logic  can  neither  supply  premises,  nor  the 
intellectual  power  necessary  to  their  skillful  employment. 
It  is  equally  vain  to  object,  that  many,  who  know  nothing 
of  dialectics,  nevertheless  reason  ably;  for  extraordinary 
mental  power,  together  with  competent  information  on 
any  particular  subject,  will  enable  any  one  to  reason  well 
on  that  subject.  This  does  not  prove  logic  to  be  of  no 
consequence.  An  orator  speaks,  and  nations  are  en- 
tranced; the  critic  analyzes  the  oration,  and  deduces 
from  it  the  laws  according  to  which  it  is  composed — thus 
we  have  the  science  of  rhetoric.  A  nation  constructs  a 
language;  the  grammarian  ascertains  its  principles — 
thus  we  have  the  science  of  grammar.  A  dialectician 
reasons;  his  argument  convinces  all  who  understand  it; 
the  logician  examines  it,  and  finds  the  principle  upon 
which  it  is  built;  he  examines  another  and  another,  of 
similar  power,  till,  after  a  sufficient  induction,  he  con- 
cludes, that  all  rest  upon  the  same  principle;  he  de- 
velops, illustrates,  and  applies  this  principle,  and  thus 
gives  us  the  science  and  art  of  reasoning. 

Though  practice  may  go  before  science,  science  may 
correct  and  improve  practice.     The  rules  of  logic  corre- 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  305 

spond  to  those  of  grammar  and  criticism,  and  they  sxib- 
serve  these  two  important  ends:  they  go  far  toward 
placing  men  of  moderate  abilities  upon  a  level,  in  re- 
spect of  reasoning,  with  those  of  genius;  and  they 
enable  all,  who  understand  them,  to  ascertain  when  they 
have  framed  an  argument  that  will  stand  the  test  "of 
scrutiny,  of  talents,  and  of  time." 

The  remarks  which  follow  have  special  reference  to 
medical  practitioners  in  the  west.  That  we  should  be 
wanting  in  dialectics  is  not  surprising;  a  large  majority 
of  us  entered  upon  the  study  of  our  profession  without 
having  enjoyed  the  benefits  of  collegiate  training — many, 
indeed,  without  even  an  academical  education.  We  do 
not  advert  to  this  in  a  censorious  spirit.  The  circum- 
stances of  our  country  have  been  such  as  to  preclude  all 
but  a  few  of  her  youth  from  classical  halls.  Of  these 
few,  many  have  been  allured  by  the  temptations  of  a 
more  lucrative  profession,  and  others  have  been  drawn 
to  the  duties  of  a  more  sacred  one,  leaving  but  a  small 
residue  for  the  healing  art. 

The  youth  who  has  never  been  trained  to  accurate 
reasoning,  will  not  be  likely  to  acquire  it  in  medical 
studies ;  they  are  historical,  rather  than  scientific.  So  far 
as  they  are  historical,  they  are  natural,  descriptive  of 
being  and  phenomena  only ;  so  far  as  they  are  scientific, 
they  are  practical,  rather  than  ^eculative ;  and  so  far  as 
speculative,  natural,  not  mathematical  or  moral.  First, 
the  student  is  conducted  to  the  skeleton,  whose  dry  bones 
never  awaken  his  powers  of  reasoning,  however  much 
they  may  challenge  his  observation  and  exercise  his 
memory.  From  the  skeleton  he  goes  to  the  cadaver, 
which,  while  it  calls  for  discrimination  and  trains  his 
hand  to  a  dexterous  use  of  the  knife,  only  now  and  then, 
when  it  presents  an  incidental  question  concerning  the 
merits  of  a  certain  discoverer,  or  advances  to  the  re- 
26 


EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

lated  science  of  physiology,  calls  for  a  connected  chain 
of  thought — judgment.  Next,  he  is  led  to  the  labora- 
tory, where  he  is  introduced,  in  regular  order,  to  a  set  of 
elements  and  compounds,  which  are  cognizable  to  sense, 
and  to  a  series  of  beautiful  truths  illustrated  by  experi- 
ment, affording  no  room  for  doubt,  and  rarely  inviting 
him  to  metaphysical  research. 

I  am  aware  that  discoverers  in  chemistry,  as  in  most 
other  sciences,  are  metaphysicians,  but  they  study  ana- 
lytically, while  learners  are  taught  synthetically ;  so  that 
the  student  of  chemistry  who  can  best  memorize,  can  best 
endure  examination.  Similar  observations  may  be  made 
with  reference  to  materia  medica,  botany,  zoology,  and 
mineralogy.  When  the  student  has  mastered  these  sci- 
ences, he  is  generally  hurried  into  private  or  hospital 
practice,  to  learn  by  observation  the  arts  of  chirurgery 
and  therapeutics.  If  he  prescribe  in  a  few  cases  suc- 
cessfully, and  acquire  the  use  of  the  instruments  em- 
ployed in  the  more  common  operations  of  the  surgeon, 
he  enters  with  a  good  degree  of  confidence  upon  the 
responsibilities  of  practice.  He  adopts  the  routine  of 
his  instructors;  he  is  as  fortunate  as  his  competitors;  in 
ordinary  cases  he  manages  without  embarrassment,  and 
in  extraordinary  ones,  he  keeps  within  the  rules  of  the 
books;  upon  the  whole,  he  satisfies  himself  that  he  is 
leading  a  useful  life.  But  what  is  he  but  an  empiric  ? — 
I  use  the  term  in  the  proper  sense;  he  proceeds  on 
rules  and  methods  founded  on  practice  and  experience, 
not  on  any  knowledge  of  natural  causes.  If  he  have 
either  the  low  desire  of  advancing  his  own  interests,  or 
the  high  ambition  of  promoting  those  of  mankind,  he 
may  ascend  through  physiology,  ethology,  and  pathology, 
to  the  study  of  theoretical  medicine;  but  here  he  will 
find  the  need  of  habits  of  reasoning;  and  if  he  have 
not    previously  formed   them,   or   be   not   possessed   of 


LOGIC    AND    iMEDICAL    SCIENCE.  307 

superior  genius  and  indomitable  perseverance,  he  will  grow 
weary  of  his  task  and  sink  down  to  the  low  walks  of  the 
mere  practitioner.  There  is  nothing  in  the  collateral 
studies  of  the  profession  to  counteract  this  tendency. 
What  are  placed  in  this  category  belong  to  the  natural 
sciences,  such  as  geology,  climatology,  and  medical  topog- 
raphy. 

Formerly,  one,  at  least,  of  the  ancient  languages  was 
deemed,  if  not  a  prerequisite  to  medical  studies,  a  re- 
lated acquirement;  for  medicine  once  had  a  general 
medium — the  Latin.  Now,  in  our  country,  at  least,  a 
knowledge  of  our  own  tongue  onl^  is  deemed  needful  for 
the  medical  student;  indeed,  the  study  of  the  beau- 
tiful media  through  which  flowed  the  treasures  of  an- 
cient Grecian  and  Roman  mind,  is  generally  depreci- 
ated. It  is  not  my  purpose  to  show  how  much  we 
have  lost  by  the  decline  of  linguistic  studies,  else  I 
might  point  out  the  benefits  derived  to  the  medical  stu- 
dent from  an  acquaintance  with  the  tongue  in  which  the 
technical  terms  of  his  art  are  cast,  in  which  its  illustri- 
ous authors  of  former  ages  wrote,  and  which  alone  opens 
to  him  the  mines  of  knowledge  deposited  in  the  works 
of  Boerhaave,  Borelli,  and  similar  ones,  of  ages  ante- 
cedent to  theirs.  We  might,  also,  show  the  importance 
of  a  permanent,  general,  transparent  medium  for  the  pro- 
fession, by  which  the  discoveries  of  one  nation  might 
soon  be  made  the  property  of  all.  I  simply  point  to  the 
fact,  that  the  study  of  language  would,  by  training  the 
mind  to  abstraction  and  enticing  it  to  practice  the  deli- 
cate arts  of  a  refined  logic,  resist  the  tendency  to  em- 
piricism, if  it  did  not  allure  to  abstruse  investigation. 

He  who  is  adventurous  enough  to  cultivate  medical 
science  without  logical  habits,  will  find  but  little  in 
medical  authors  to  supply  this  deficiency.  They  are  gen- 
erally didactic  rather  than  controversial,  and  when  they 


308  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

present  us  with  argumentation  it  rarely  approaches  the 
syllogistic  form.  As  I  am  not  prepared  to  compare  the 
writers  of  diflPerent  professions,  I  must  speak  interroga- 
tively. Has  medicine  any  works  which  for  argumenta- 
tive ability  can  be  compared  with  those  of  Black- 
stone,  Kent,  Story?  or  of  Chillingworth,  Warburton,  and 
Paley?  The  chief  work  of  Paley,  for  example,  will  bear 
the  strictest  logical  examination ;  each  argument  may  be 
traced  from  the  ultimate  conclusion  to  the  first  premiss 
without  evincing  a  fault;  it  may  be  represented  by 
symbols,  so  that  its  conclusiveness  shall  appear  without 
considering  the  meaning  of  the  terms.  The  Divine  Le- 
gation of  Warburton  opens  with  a  series  of  arguments 
nearly  syllogistic,  and  it  is  throughout  replete  with  rigid 
reasoning.  The  principal  work  of  Chillingworth  is  read 
by  many  arguists  merely  with  a  view  to  strengthen  the 
reasoning  faculty.  Both  law  and  divinity  have  works  in 
course  which  train  the  mind  to  reason,  and  to  which 
medicine  has  nothing  corresponding;  such  as  books  on 
the  subject  of  "Evidence."  How  is  it  with  medical 
teachers  f  (I  know  there  are  noble  exceptions.)  Is  it 
not  the  tendency  of  the  college  to  treat  medicine  en- 
tirely as  an  experimental  art?  Again  and  again  we  hear, 
ex  cathedra,  the  exclamation,  **Away  with  j)r-inGi'pIeSf 
give  us  /acts;  away  with  causes,  give  us  effects;  away 
with  theory,  let  us  have  practice."  We  need  not  say  how 
much  such  exclamations  degrade  the  science,  how  they 
sanction  the  popular  fashion  of  estimating  the  physician 
by  the  number  of  his  facts,  and  thrusting  aside  the  scien- 
tific youth  for  the  ignorant  matron.  I  need  not  point  out 
the  fallacy  which  lurks  beneath  them,  for  you  may  readily 
perceive  that  a  principle  may  embody  a  thousand  facts, 
an  antecedent  may  be  worth  more  than  a  consequent, 
and  practice,  however  had,  implies  some  theory.  My 
pvrpose  is  to  inquire  whether  it  does  not  encourage  idle- 


LOOIO    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENeE.  809 

ness,  and  check  the  best  tendencies  and  the  highest  as- 
pirations of  the  pupil.  The  physician  should  value  facts, 
should  collect  them,  but  he  should  also  compare,  abstract, 
generalize ;  nor  should  he  lightly  esteem  the  theory  of 
a  distinguished  author  merely  because  he  has  not  him- 
self witnessed  the  facts  on  which  it  rests — he  might  as 
well  doubt  that  the  earth  revolves,  because  he  has  not 
scientifically  demonstrated  that  truth.  Nor  should  we  fail 
to  observe,  that  a  man  who  confines  himself  to  the  beaten 
track  may  have  a  far  more  limited  experience  than  the 
theorist  who  takes  wide  surveys,  and  marks  cases  in 
every  variety  of  modification.  Kindred  to  the  disregard 
of  theory  is  the  contempt  of  hypothesis,  for  theory  and 
hypothesis  are  not  synonymous.  Theory  signifies  a  con- 
nected arrangement  of  facts  according  to  their  bearing 
on  a  law;  hypothesis,  an  assumption,  which  is  conceived 
to  support  a  law;  thus  the  connected  facts  which  point 
to  the  law  of  gravitation  is  a  theory;  the  supposition  of 
a  subtile  fluid,  which  is  presumed  to  explain  these  facts, 
is  a  hypothesis.  A  hypothesis,  so  far  from  being  de- 
spised, should  be  valued  according  as  it  explains  more 
or  fewer  of  the  circumstances  of  the  phenomenon  to 
which  it  is  applied.  If  it  explain  all  of  them,  it  is 
highly  probable,  and  may,  after  a  time,  acquire  certainty; 
as  for  example,  the  hypothesis  of  Kepler,  that  the 
planets  moved  in  elliptic  orbits,  which,  though  received 
with  hesitancy  at  first,  has  so  explained  successive  as- 
tronomical discoveries  and  computations  as  to  take  rank 
with  established  laws.  Even  when  a  hypothesis  is  not 
thus  fortunate,  it  may,  by  suggesting  experiments,  inti- 
mating inventions,  and  animating  to  further  researches, 
vastly  increase  our  stock  of  knowledge  and  multiply  the 
arts  of  a  profession.  What  though  a  hypothesis  be 
imaginary,  is  it  therefore  to  be  despised?  Imagination  is 
the  handmaid  of  science;    the  most  illustrious  philoso- 


SKj!  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

phers  have  honored  her,  and  been  allured  onward  in  the 
path  of  discovery  by  her  rainbows;  if  you  doubt  it,  go 
learn  of  Archimedes,  or  listen  to  the  eloquence  of  Bacon, 
or  sit  at  the  feet  of  Rush.  Indeed,  imagination  is  the 
great  conceiver  and  bold  discoverer  of  new  worlds,  the 
Columbus  of  the  human  faculties;  every  instantia  crucis 
is  a  call  for  her  aid.  Mark  the  beautiful  series  of  ex- 
periments which  led  Sir  Humphrey  Davy  to  the  inven- 
tion of  the  safety-lamp,  and  you  see  her  going  before. 
He  first  ascertains  in  what  proportions  the  mixture  of 
fire-damp  and  atmospheric  air  is  explosive;  he  next  de- 
termines at  what  temperature  the  mixture  detonates.  It 
had  long  been  known  that  if  the  explosive  compound 
were  passed  through  a  tube,  and  set  on  fire,  the  flame 
would  not  pass  back  through  the  tube  to  cause  explosion. 
The  last  point  to  be  ascertained  was,  how  short  might  be 
the  tube  consistent  with  safety;  to  determine  this,  he 
cuts  ofi"  successively  very  narrow  sections  till  he  reduces 
it  to  a  mere  metallic  ring,  and  he  finds  this  sufiicient  to 
prevent  explosion ;  finally,  he  ascertains  that  the  flame 
of  the  mixture  will  not  pass  through  wire  gauze.  He  is 
now  ready  to  construct  the  safety-lamp. 

I  know  that  innumerable  errors,  and  almost  inextrica- 
ble confusion,  have  resulted  from  a  misapplication  of  the 
speculative  understanding,  but  shall  we,  therefore,  re- 
press it?  he  who  does  so  checks  powers  as  original,  as 
lawful,  as  useful  as  the  senses  themselves — powers  which 
it  is  as  blasphemous  to  neglect,  as  it  is  wicked  to  abuse ; 
powers  on  which  social  and  scientific  progress  depend, 
and  which,  more  than  any  other,  ally  man  to  the  higher 
orders  of  being. 

The  physician  will  find  still  less  -in  the  practice,  than  in 
the  study  of  medicine,  to  stimulate  the  reasoning  power. 
Observation,  diagnosis,  prescription,  and  prognosis,  con- 
stitute the  circle  of  his  duties — a  circle  through  which 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  311 

he  may  pass  by  rule,  as  well  as  reason.  When  he  meets 
his  fellows  in  counsel,  is  he  not  accustomed  to  oppose  dic- 
tum to  dictum,  experience  to  experience,  rather  than  argu- 
ment to  argximent?  At  the  bedside  and  in  the  office,  he 
is  an  autocrat.  Should  any  one  call  in  question  his  pre- 
scription, he  has  a  right  to  say,  "How  dare  you  dispute 
-my  authority?"  I  do  not  say  this  is  wrong,  but  unfortu- 
nate. The  lawyer  is  compelled  to  be  an  arguist;  whether 
acting  as  attorney,  counselor,  or  solicitor,  he  is  called  on 
to  define  words,  compare  laws,  weigh  evidence,  analyze 
motives;  in  all  things,  he  must  abide  the  scrutiny  of  his 
peers :  in  the  strong  conflicts  of  the  bar,  where  mind 
grapples  with  mind,  where  argument  meets  argument, 
thought  leaps  to  thought,  and  witticism  flashes  to  witti- 
cism; where  all  the  resources  of  subtilty  and  acuteness, 
all  the  cavils  of  the  critical  and  captious  spirit,  and  all 
the  energies  of  vigorous  and  enterprising  intellect,  have 
free  scope,  he  must  either  prove  himself  a  logician,  or 
resign  his  place  to  one  who  can. 

So  it  is  with  the  minister;  he  must  define,  he  must 
argue;  persuasion  is  his  business;  this  depends  upon 
conviction,  and  conviction  upon  argument.  In  the 
Church,  he  moves  through  armed  ranks  of  errorists  and 
heretics;  in  the  world,  he  meets  on  all  sides  the  despe- 
rate hosts  of  a  depraved  philosophy ;  in  his  most  peaceful 
moods  and  attitudes,  he  must  give  a  reason  of  the  hope 
that  is  in  him,  and  train  up  disciples  fully  persuaded  in 
their  own  minds.  Even  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick,  and 
the  pillow  of  the  dying,  he  must  satisfy  the  cravings  of 
human  reason,  as  well  as  of  human  affections. 

Do  not  understand  me  to  say  that  physicians  may  not 
possess  all  the  dialectical  skill  and  mental  energy  of  other 
men,  but  that  their  profession  does  not  demand  it  of 
them. 

But  some  one  may  inquire,  "  Are  not  doctors  the  most 


312  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

contentious  of  men  ?"  In  all  civilized  lands,  the  tocsin 
of  a  medi-cal  war  is  continually  sounding — a  war  bloodless 
for  the  most  part,  though  not  always  bootless — a  war  in 
which  we  see 

"  Hj'pocrisy  ■with  smiling  grace, 
And  impudence  with  brazen  face ; 
Contention  bold,  with  iron  lungs, 
And  slander  with  her  hundred  tongues." 

This  war,  however,  is  not  because  they  have  too  much 
logic,  but  too  little;  had  they  more  argumentation,  they 
would  have  fewer  disagreements;  did  they  look  each 
other  in  the  eye,  week  by  week,  and  state  propositions, 
define  terms,  test  arguments,  methinks  they  would  be 
more  fraternal ;  they  might  still  differ  in  theory,  disagree 
in  opinion,  and  vary  in  practice;  they  might  occasionally 
be  provoked  by  covetousness  to  contention,  and  by  envy 
to  strife ;  but  their  differences  would  not  lead  to  such  al- 
tercations, their  disagreements  to  such  disputes,  their  va- 
riances to  such  dissensions,  and  their  contention  and 
strife  to  such  irritation  and  ill-blood,  as  to  fix  upon  them 
the  distinction  of  "genus  irritahile." 

How  is  it  with  other  professions  ?  Ministers  differ — 
they  contend  too — they  often  come  to  blows  apostolic,  not 
in  the  Hudibrastic  sense,  but  in  the  literal ;  they  burn 
each  other,  not  in  the  old  method,  with  piles  of  fagots, 
but  piles  of  propositions;  they  surround  each  other  with 
grammars,  and  lexicons,  and  polyglots,  and  after  the 
battle,  they  shake  hands,  and  find  that,  though  they  are 
opponents  or  adversaries,  they  are  not  foes — often  they  dis- 
cover that  they  are  brothers  beloved.  So  with  lawyers — 
they  sometimes  rush  upon  each  other  like  tigers,  and  it 
would  seem  as  though  the  Temple  of  Justice  must  be 
deluged  with  blood,  but  no  sooner  is  the  contest  over, 
than  they  are  harmless  and  loving  as  lambs.  As  a  house 
without  a  chimney,  so  is  a  body  of  men  without  discus- 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  313 

sion.  The  pulpit  is  the  flue  for  the  ministry,  the  bar 
for  the  law,  but,  alas !  where  is  the  outlet  for  medical 
smoke  ? 

I  proceed  to  remark,  that  there  is  nothing  in  the  pre- 
vailing philosophy  of  ike  times  to  promote  dialectics. 
We  still  feel  the  reaction  from  scholasticism.  Of  the 
schoolmen,  it  is  customary  to  speak  in  terms  of  con- 
tempt— a  feeling  which  we  are  apt  to  transfer  from  these 
misguided  men  to  their  favorite  science.  But  what 
though  their  questions  were  often  frivolous,  their  prem- 
ises fanciful,  and  their  aims  unreasonable,  shall  logic 
be  blamed?  Nay,  so  far  as  they  employed  this  science, 
they  were  useful.  To  the  vulgar,  it  may  be  allowed  to 
sneer  at  such  men  as  Koscellinus;  but  to  the  philosopher, 
it  belongs  to  trace  back  the  illumination  which  distin- 
guishes France,  Germany,  and  England,  in  great  measure 
to  the  adoption  of  the  scholastic  method,  and  to  see  in 
the  substitution  of  stern  reasoning  for  a  blind  acquies- 
cence to  authority,  the  beginning  of  that  reformation 
■which  has  given  to  enlightened  nations  religious  free- 
dom. But  it  is  vain  to  reason  with  those  who  will  not 
hear — we  must  suffer  yet  a  while  from  the  contempt  of 
logic  resulting  from  the  misapplication  of  it  by  the 
schoolmen. 

When  these  men  had  long  wasted  their  energies  in 
labors  which,  however  invigorating  to  the  mind,  were 
necessarily  barren  of  discovery,  Lord  Bacon  arose — 
Bacon  !  a  name  associating  peerless  power,  matchless  elo- 
quence, and  extensive  knowledge,  with  unblushing  bri- 
bery, base  ingratitude,  heartless  treachery,  parasitical 
flattery,  and  cold  and  selfish  affections — Bacon !  a  philos  • 
pher  who,  in  works  erudite,  profound,  and  radiant 
with  original  thought,  enumerated  the  defects  and  omis- 
sions of  his  predecessors,  classified  the  various  branches 
of  science,  and  pointed  out  their  relation  to  the  hum^-n 
.  27 


814  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

faculties;  who  mapped  out  the  region  of  known  knowl- 
edge, and  pointed  the  way  to  the  fields  o^  unknown  ;  who 
investigated  the  causes  which  vitiated  and  retarded  sci- 
ence, and  whose  crowning  achievement  was,  that  he  re- 
called man  to  the  study  of  nature — taught  him  to  ob- 
serve, experiment,  infer;  for  this  is  the  basis  of  the 
Novum  Organon  Scientiarum.  Great  as  was  his  merit, 
he  was  perhaps  overrated.  Letters  had  been  revived, 
printing  invented,  and  the  world  aroused  to  freedom  of 
discussion  before  he  arose;  still,  he  is  the  father  of  mod- 
ern philosophy,  and  it  is  the  pride  of  scientific  men  to 
follow  his  footsteps  and  halt  at  his  bidding.  In  doing  so, 
however,  they  may  debar  themselves  access  to  fruitful 
regions  of  truth,  forego  legitimate  methods  of  research, 
and  fall  into  errors  which  cripple  the  intellectual  powers. 
The  Baconian  philosophy  is  very  imperfect.  Its  whole 
circle  of  observation  is  external.  But  there  is  an  inter- 
nal circle  composed  of  first  truths — truths  which  it  were 
madness  to  deny,  and  folly  to  attempt  to  prove — such 
truths  as  these  :  matter  and  mind  have  uniform  and  fixed 
laws;  qualities  imply  a  substance.  Without  such  princi- 
ples, reason  could  not  move  a  step.  He  who  doubts  the 
first  of  the  propositions  just  stated,  can  not  complete  the 
simplest  process  of  induction.  He  who  doubts  the 
second,  can  have  no  knowledge  of  either  mind  or  matter. 
Besides  these  principles,  there  rises  and  shines  within 
the  soul,  ideas  which  experience  never  could  furnish — 
ideas  based  upon  the  succession,  relations,  and  infinite  of 
things — ideas  necessary,  absolute,  eternal.  There  are 
also  impulses  which  they  awaken.  Who  feels  not  within 
his  brain  a  reed  that  can  measure  earth  and  heaven,  mys- 
terious feet  that  leap  into  infinity,  and  fiery  wings  that, 
cutting  the  boundaries  of  time,  soar  behind  the  hour  that 
saw  the  earth  arise,  and  rush  exulting  beyond  the  day 
that  shall  see  the  heavens  rolled  together  as  a  scroll  ! 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  315 

But  it  is  not  this  imperfection  itself  of  the  Baconian 
philosophy,  on  which  we  would  fix  your  attention,  but  a 
certain  result  of  this  imperfection.  It  confines  our 
minds  to  experience ;  it  does  not  cultivate  abstraction — 
that  power  whose  strength  in  any  individual  is  usually 
the  measure  of  his  logical  ability. 

The  Baconian  philosophy,  representing  induction  as 
the  sole  method  in  all  branches  of  knowledge,  banishes 
dedtbction. 

Induction  ascends  from  particulars  to  universals;  de- 
duction from  universals  to  particulars.  Induction  leads 
up  fact  after  fact,  till  a  general  principle  is  established ; 
deduction  unfolds  the  assertions  wrapped  up  in  a  general 
principle,  and  shows  its  various  bearings.  Induction  dis- 
covers truth  not  formerly  possessed;  deduction  discloses 
truth  not  formerly  perceived.  Induction  requires  caution 
and  judgment;  deduction  requires  logical  skill.  Induc- 
tion is  chiefly  a  process  of  investigation;  deduction  is, 
throughout,  a  process  of  strict  reasoning.  Induction 
infers;  deduction  proves.  If  this  be  a  correct  represent- 
ation, you  see  not  only  the  error  of  asserting  that  induc- 
tion is  the  only  scientific  method,  but  how  this  error 
tends  to  repress  and  discredit  dialectics. 

The  characteristic  tendencies  of  the  age  are  averse  to  the 
cultivation  of  the  deductive  intellect.  We  are  eminently 
a  practical,  not  a  speculative  people ;  so,  indeed,  were  our 
ancestors.  The  Anglo-Saxons  seem  to  have  inherited  the 
characteristics  of  Rome,  as  the  Germans  have  those  of 
Greece.  The  former  aim  to  do  what  is  to  be  done,  as  the 
latter  to  ^At'nA;  what  is  to  be  thought.  Our  prevailing  tend- 
ency is  manifest,  not  only  in  our  philosophy,  but  our 
tastes,  our  habits,  our  pursuits.  Ours  is  not  the  land  of 
glorious  epics,  of  metaphysical  researches,  of  students 
for  life.  We  are  formed  for  activity — not  contemplation. 
We  tear  up  our  forests  before  they  can  become  classical. 


81i  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

Should  a  poetical  lover  choose  an  elm  to  immortalize  its 
shade,  his  muse  would  hardly  be  invoked  before  the  echo 
of  the  woodman's  ax  would  frighten  her  away.  We  have 
our  "thoughts  that  breathe,  and  words  that  burn  j"  but 
our  breathing  is  through  the  steam-pipe,  and  our  burning 
is  by  the  furnace.  We  have  our  wire-drawn  distinctions, 
but  they  are  drawn  over  poles  to  distinguish  turnpike 
roads.  We  have  our  mirahiles  amoves,  but  they  are  all 
resolvable  into  the  sacra  fames  auri.  We  are  utilitarians, 
and  we  measure  our  achievements  by  the  mason's  square 
and  weigh  our  gains  in  the  scale  avoirdupois.  We  do 
every  thing  in  haste.  Even  divines  and  doctors,  like 
boots  and  bridges,  are  made  in  a  hurry.  Our  hurry  has 
led  us  into  an  excessive  division  of  labor,  which,  however 
favorable  to  the  development  of  resources,  is  not  so  to 
the  development  of  mind. 

The  old  universities,  where  the  faculties  of  law,  medi- 
cine, and  divinity  sit  side  by  side,  as  members  of  the 
same  family,  surrounded  by  their  younger  sisters,  the  lib- 
eral arts,  promoting  each  other's  edification,  cherishing 
each  other's  affection,  advancing  each  other's  interests, 
and  defending  each  other's  honor,  do  not  seem  to  suit  us. 
We  divorce  the  professions,  and  surround  them  with  sep- 
arate fortifications,  to  dwell  in  a  sort  of  Chinese  exclu- 
siveness,  or  fire  into  each  other's  bastions.  Instead  of 
building  to  science  a  glorious  temple,  to  be  ascended  by 
successive  steps,  we  build  a  number  of  one-story  halls,  so 
that  a  doctor,  or  lawyer,  or  divine,  may  learn  his  profes- 
sion with  no  more  preparation  than  a  carpenter  his  trade. 
Not  content  with  separating  the  professional  faculties 
from  the  liberal  arts,  we  often  sunder  the  liberal  arts 
themselves,  and  allow  the  student  to  elect  his  own  stud- 
ies, instead  of  directing  him  in  that  course  which  will 
bring  out  all  his  powers  in  fair  proportions. 

The  tendencies  to  which  I  have  adverted,  aflFord  so 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  317 

many  arguments,  from  cause  to  eflfect,  to  show,  that  phy- 
sicians are  not  likely  to  manifest  those  mental  traits 
which  are  not  cultivated  by  their  profession,  and,  as  the 
reasoning  power  is  not  of  this  description,  that  they  may 
be  expected  to  be  deficient  in  this,  unless  they  specially 
cultivate  it,  I  proceed  to  strengthen  the  argument,  by 
pointing  out  some  of  the  consequences  of  this  want  of 
logic  in  the  medical  profession,  and  thus  argue  from 
effect  to  cause. 

1.  Their  discussions  are  often  endless.  That  doctors 
disagree,  has  passed  into  a  proverb.  But  do  not  divines 
disagree  also  ?  True;  but  their  disagreement  is  rather  doc- 
trinal than  practical.  The  disagreement  of  physicians  is 
principally  practical;  and  when  theoretical,  it  is  often  in 
relation  to  points,  concerning  which  it  would  appear  that 
there  certainly  could  be  a  definitive  settlement.  Such, 
for  example,  as  whether  medicines  are  ever  absorbed,  and 
taken  into  the  general  circulation.  But,  would  logic 
tend  to  abridge  these  discussions  ?  Certainly.  It  cuts 
short  discussion,  both  by  bringing  parties  to  issue,  and 
curing  inconclusive  reasoning. 

The  discussions  of  physicians  are  numerous.  Logic 
would  reduce  them,  because  it  indirectly  prevents  logom- 
achy. It  teaches  us  to  scrutinize  terms;  to  distinguish 
between  the  abstract  and  the  concrete,  the  compatible 
and  the  opposite,  the  absolute  and  the  relative,  etc.  It 
teaches  us  to  distinguish  between  the  whole  essence,  the 
partial  essence,  and  that  which  is  joined  to  the  essence; 
between  genus  and  differentia;  between  property  and  acci- 
dent. It  gives  us  the  rules  of  division  and  definition, 
teaching  the  difference  between  the  nominal  and  the  real 
definition,  the  accidental  and  the  essential,  the  physical 
and  the  metaphysical.  He  who  considers  how  much  con- 
troversy arises  from  the  ambiguous  terms,  and  how  much 
confusion  from  cross  divisions,  must  see  that  logic  would 


318  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

reduce  the  list  of  mooted  medical  questions.  So,  also,  it 
would  by  the  exposure  of  fallacies.  Are  not  Thomsoni- 
anism,  hydropathy,  homeopathy,  etc.,  examples  of  hasty 
induction  ?  Doubtless,  steam,  water,  and  sweetened 
paste  are  valuable  remedial  agents,  and,  in  many  cases, 
each  may  be  an  adequate  means  of  cure.  We  must  be- 
ware, however,  how  we  proceed  from  the  particular  to  the 
universal.  One  of  these  systems  may  prove  to  be  all 
that  it  assumes,  but,  certainly,  when  we  consider,  that  in 
medicine,  as  in  meteorology,  a  thousand  circumstances 
unseen  niay  vary  the  results  of  our  experiments,  and  that, 
while  successful  cases  are  blazoned,  unsuccessful  ones  are 
kept  out  of  sight,  that  many  reported  cases  are  due  to 
false  statements,  false  perceptions,  exaggerations,  etc.,  we 
should  beware  how  we  assert  that  a  sufficient  number  of 
facts  has  been  accumulated  to  establish  any  of  them. 
Judging  from  the  past,  we  may  conjecture  that  the  fate 
of  the  first  of  these  systems  awaits  the  rest,  and  all 
others  of  similar  simplicity. 

The  fallacy,  called  by  logicians  non  causa  pro  causa,  is 
common  among  physicians.  You  take  a  certain  drug, 
and  you  get  well.  This  is  all  you  know  about  it,  but  you 
say  the  medicine  cured  you.  You  now  assume  what  you 
should  prove ;  namely,  that  the  medicine  and  the  cure 
stand  to  each  other  in  the  relation  of  cause  and  effect. 
It  may  be  that  nature,  or  regimen,  or  imagination  may 
have  wrought  the  cure. 

The  word  experience  has  led  to  many  controversies. 
What  I  know  by  experience  is  certainly  true.  That  this 
remedy  will  cure  you  I  know  by  experience.  Therefore, 
that  this  remedy  will  cure  you  is  certainly  true.  The 
word  experience,  in  the  first  of  these  premises,  is  used  in 
the  strict  sense,  and  applies  to  the  past.  The  same  word, 
in  the  second  premiss,  is  used  in  the  popular  sense,  and 
applies  to  the  future.     It  denotes,  not  experience,  but  a 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  819 

judgment  founded  on  it.  Nothing  more  reliable  than  ex- 
perience, in  the  first  sense — nothing  more  uncertain  than 
experience,  in  the  last.  Instead  of  being  opposed  to 
speculation,  it  is  founded  on  it.  A  man  takes  for  his 
major  premiss  a  certain  opinion,  and  for  his  minor  a  cer- 
tain phenomenon,  and  combining  them,  he  draws  a  con- 
clusion of  no  more  value  than  his  premises.  Hence,  one 
man's  experience  is,  that  wet  sheets  cure,  another's,  that 
they  kill — one's,  that  infinitesimal  doses  are  efiScient, 
another's,  that  they  are  inert.  One's  experience  is,  that 
a  wounded  artery  should  be  tied,  another's,  that  the 
blood  flowing  from  its  mouth  may  be  stopped  by  a  charm. 
One's  experience  is,  that  jaundice  may  be  cured  by  calo- 
mel, another's,  that  nothing  more  is  necessary  than  to 
hang  up  a  bottle  of  yellow  liquid  in  the  chimney. 

So  with  the  phrase,  common  sense.  As  it  is  used  in 
common  parlance,  nothing  is  more  indefinite.  Whatever 
stands  to  common  sense,  is  to  be  relied  onj  but  one 
man's  common  sense  is  very  wncommon,  another's,  not  so 
much  so,  etc.  The  common  sense  of  the  savage  teaches 
that  the  sun  goes  round  the  earth — the  common  sense  of 
the  sage,  that  the  earth  goes  round  the  sun.  The  com- 
mon sense  of  European  nobles  says,  that  republics  can 
not  stand;  but  not  so  the  common  sense  of  American 
democrats. 

If  such  fallacies  misled  common  people  only,  I  should 
not  notice  them,  but  they  often  delude  gifted,  scientific, 
respectable  men;  sometimes  even  reputable  members  of 
the  medical  profession,  who  are  thereby  induced  to  for- 
sake its  ranks,  and  enlist  under  the  banners  of  some 
charlatan.  It  may  be  said  that  such  instances  of  profes- 
sional desertion  are  owing,  not  to  a  want  of  that  reason- 
ing ability  which  distinguishes  truth  from  error,  but  of 
that  honor  which  prefers  poverty  in  uprightness  to 
wealth  acquired  by  dishonest  artifice.     I  have  too  much 


SBO*.  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS 

confidence,  however,  in  human  nature,  to  accept  this  as  a 
sufficient  account  of  the  matter. 

2.  Another  result  of  the  want  of  logical  skill,  is  the 
slow  progress  of  medical  science.  Other  professions  make 
but  slow  advances,  but  they  do  not  admit  of  such  im- 
provement as  medicine.  Theology  and  law  admit  of  no 
discovery — their  great  principles  are  settled.  We  can 
not  correct  the  Bible,  or  amend  the  precepts  of  morality; 
but  medical  science  may  be  progressive,  especially  in  our 
own  country,  where  we  have  peculiar  facilities  to  trace  the 
influence  of  race,  climate,  civilization,  etc.,  in  modifying 
the  forms  of  disease,  and  to  explore  unknown  regions, 
whose  forests  or  whose  mountains  may  contain  remedies 
for  diseases  which  have  hitherto  baffled  the  healing  art. 

True,  the  history  of  medicine  is  full  of  discourage- 
ment; but  it  is  consoling  to  reflect,  that  scarce  any  sys- 
tem has  been  devised  which  has  not  led  to  some  new 
truth,  or  proposed  some  useful  curative  agents.  The 
Dogmatics,  the  Galenics,  the  Empirics,  the  Methodics, 
the  Stahlians,  the  Paracelsians,  have  appeared  and  disap- 
peared, but  each  of  these  sects  has  contributed  some- 
thing to  the  stores  of  medical  knowledge  and  the  resour- 
ces of  medical  art.  May  it  not  be  so,  too,  with  the  mod- 
ern systems  ? — they  are  tributaries,  soon  to  be  lost  in  the 
general  stream  of  medical  truth,  but  not  till  they  have 
contributed  to  swell  its  waters. 

If  a  medical  student  survey  the  mass  of  error,  absurd- 
ity, and  superstition  which  has  been  accumulated  by  the 
profession  in  the  successive  ages  of  the  past,  he  may  find 
himself  growing  skeptical  as  to  his  favorite  science;  but 
let  him  inquire,  if  there  be  not  mingled  with  this  mass 
materials  of  undoubted  value,  and  he  will  find  his  faith 
revive — for  he  knows  that  the  blood  does  circulate,  that 
vaccination  is,  upon  the  whole,  a  prophylactic,  etc. 

When  we  examine  the  statistics  of  hospitals,  and  the 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  321 

general  records  of  mortality,  we  may  be  induced  to  sup- 
pose that  there  is  about  the  same  proportion  of  deaths 
and  recoveries  under  every  system  of  medical  practice; 
but  when  we  inquire,  whether  there  has  been  no  improve- 
ment in  the  treatment  of  small-pox  since  the  days  of  Sy- 
denham— whether  quinine  is  not  useful  in  ague,  and 
iodine  in  scrofula,  we  must  see  that  medical  science  has 
advanced. 

It  is  as  true  of  every  other  kindred  science  as  of  medi- 
cine, that  its  progress  is  slow.  Man  is  in  haste,  but  God 
will  have  him  "hasten  slowly."  Plato  represents  the 
human  mind,  in  its  progress  to  perfection,  as  the  driver 
of  a  winged  chariot;  but  the  wings  often  droop,  and  pe- 
riodically molt;  the  horses  are  unequal — one  fleet,  obe- 
dient, and  spirited;  the  other  sluggish,  clumsy,  and 
mulish.  But,  notwithstanding  the  successive  elevations 
and  depressions  of  the  chariot,  as  the  wings  lose  or  re- 
gain their  feathers,  and  the  struggles  of  the  horses,  some- 
times pulling  opposite  ways,  •  and  at  best  moving  with 
unequal  footsteps,  the  driver  gradually  ascends  the  skies. 
So  with  medical  science.  But  the  progress  would  be  more 
rapid,  if  physicians  of  diflFerent  views  were  to  meet 
together,  and,  in  the  love  of  truth,  compare  notes,  and 
mutually  examine  arguments,  surrender  errors,  and  ex- 
change truths. 

Lastly,  I  mention  as  a  result  of  the  want  of  logic,  the 
skepticism  of  medical  men  in  regard  to  religion.  Al- 
though some  of  the  brightest  ornaments  of  the  profes- 
sion, both  east  and  west,  are  humble  Christians,  yet,  that 
our  physicians  generally  are  inclined  to  unbelief,  is  very 
obvious.  I  could  introduce  testimony,  if  it  were  neces- 
sary. Dr.  Logan,  of  New  Orleans,  in  an  address  on  the 
Ethics  of  Medicine,  delivered  in  1844,  before  the  Med- 
ico-Chirurgical  Society  of  Louisiana,  says:  "I  am  espe- 
cially urged  to  this  theme,  at  such  a  time  and  place,  from 


322  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  lamentable  fact  that,  notwithstanding  there  are  many 
practitioners  in  our  country  eminent  for  talents,  illustri- 
ous for  learning,  and  distinguished  for  skill,  yet  I  have 
reason  to  apprehend,  too  many  are  numbered  among  our 
ranks  who,  by  their  reckless  disregard  and  defiance  of 
morals  and  religion,  are  ruining  our  influence  and  bring- 
ing discredit  upon  the  whole  profession."  Other  testi- 
mony, to  the  same  purport,  might  be  introduced.  Now, 
the  cause  of  this  state  of  things  is  not  simple;  it  is 
owing,  partly,  to  the  pride  of  science,  the  neglect  of 
worship,  and  the  absorbing  nature  of  medical  duties;  but 
chiefly,  I  think,  to  the  want  of  logical  habits. 

The  medical  student,  as  one  remarks,  is  too  often 
taught  to  bring  his  gift,  like  the  Athenian,  to  an  unknown 
God.  And  why  so  ?  because  medical  authors  are  not 
wont  to  distinguish  between  causes  and  design.  You 
survey  a  complicated  machinery — ^you  trace  its  move- 
ments from  spindle  to  spindle,  and  wheel  to  wheel,  till 
you  find  the  first  moving  cause — a  stream  of  water.  But 
the  question  should  arise,  who  made  all  these  wheels,  and 
spindles,  and  frames,  and  so  arranged  them  as  to  make 
the  unconscious  water  work  out,  with  unerring  certainty, 
the  wonderful  result  ?  The  design  is  as  apparent  as  the 
product,  and  the  former  as  much  implies  intelligence,  as 
the  latter  does  momentum. 

The  pupil  often  thinks  he  can  account  for  every  thing 
in  the  natural  world,  by  natural  laws;  and  in  the  animal 
world,  by  vital  laws;  and  in  the  intellectual  world,  by  psy- 
chological laws — but  when  he  does  so,  he  confounds  two 
things  entirely  difi"erent;  namely,  power  and  law — law 
can  do  nothing;  the  term,  as  used  in  science,  merely  de- 
notes the  mode  in  which  power  acts,  or  the  order  in 
which  its  effects  appear.  In  the  cloud  which  is  raised 
around  the  term  law,  the  student  often  loses  sight  of 
God;    he  sometimes  contrives  to  keep  his  soul  out  of 


LOGIC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  323 

view  by  a  similar  delusion,  a  delusion  which  some  med- 
ical authors  ingeniously  promote.  Bichat  thus  speaks  of 
life:  "The  functions  of  the  animal  form  two  distinct 
classes :  one  of  these  consists  of  an  habitual  succession 
of  assimilation  and  concretion.  By  the  other  he  per- 
ceives surrounding  objects;  reflects  on  his  sensations; 
performs  voluntary  motions  under  their  influence,  and 
generally  communicates,  by  the  voice,  his  pleasures  or  his 
pains,  his  desires  or  his  fears.  The  assembled  functions 
of  the  latter  class  form  the  animal  life." 

Now,  ask  the  great  physiologist,  what  is  the  cause  of 
perception,  reflection,  volition?  Why,  animal  life,  to  be 
sure.  Very  well.  Now,  what  is  animal  life  ?  Why,  it  is 
perception,  sensation,  reflection,  volition,  speech,  etc.  If 
this  is  not  the  vicious  circle,  pray  tell  what  is  ?  But  it 
has  been  copied  and  imitated,  by  the  highest  medical  au- 
thorities, not  only  in  France,  but  on  the  other  side  of 
the  British  Channel,  and  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic 
Ocean.  Having  put  God  and  the  soul  out  of  sight,  what 
wonder  if  the  physician  should  neglect  the  Bible  and  its 
evidences? 

Dr.  Drake,  than  whom  a  higher  authority  can  scarce  be 
quoted,  alluding  to  the  sources  of  skepticism  among  phy- 
sicians, says :  "  We  are  constrained  to  express  the  belief, 
that  ignorance  of  the  Bible  is  a  greater  cause  of  skepti- 
cism, than  the  whole  of  them."  Again,  speaking  of  the 
evidences  of  revelation,  he  holds  this  language:  "If  a 
revelation  be  possible,  and  the  conclusion  seems  inevita- 
ble, it  could  not  become  known  unless  it  received  atten- 
tion, were  read,  and  the  evidences  of  its  reality  examined. 
But  this  is  precisely  what  the  majority  of  our  profession 
have  not  done.  Their  infidelity  is  most  unphilosophical, 
because  they  have  concluded  without  examination,  in  vio- 
lation of  critical  justice;  for  they  have  condemned  with- 
out a  hearing.     If  their  disbelief  should  be  correct  in 


324  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS.  ' 

the  absolute,  it  is  not  logically  correct,  because  not  the 
result  of  careful  and  candid  investigation.  To  such  au 
investigation  I  would  call  them.  As  scholars  and  philos- 
ophers, they  should  be  ashamed  of  its  omission;  ashamed 
that  they  have  concluded  before  they  have  collected  and 
compared  the  testimony,  absolutely  necessary  to  a  correct 
decision;  before  they  have  subjected  all  the  facts  to  the 
test  of  that  logic  on  which  they  rely  for  the  establish- 
ment of  professional  truth.  When  they  have  done  this, 
should  they  not  acquire  a  Christian  faith,  they  will  at 
least  substitute  a  philosophical  infidelity  for  the  skepti- 
cism of  ignorance.  Into  that  cheerless  region  we  should 
not  have  occasion  to  follow  many  of  them,  for  its  inhab- 
itants are  few,  indeed,  compared  with  those  who  wander 
in  the  benighted  land  of  ignorance  and  doubt.  We 
have  seldom  met  with  a  single  physician,  who  had  earned 
citizenship  in  that  frozen  zone;  while  the  number  of  the 
latter,  although  reduced  from  what  it  once  was,  is  still 
sufficient  to  show,  that  multitudes  repudiate  the  Bible 
without  having  studied  its  doctrines,  or  the  evidences  of 
its  heavenly  origin." 

Upon  this  eloquent  passage  we  beg  to  inquire  whether 
the  reluctance  to  examine  the  evidence  is  not  owing,  in 
some  measure,  to  the  fact  that  the  minds  of  physicians, 
confined  almost  exclusively  to  induction  and  analogy,  are 
disinclined  to  moral  reasoning.  Do  not  imagine,  because 
L  have  thus  spoken,  that  I  deem  the  medical  profession 
particularly  vulnerable ;  others,  perhaps,  err  as  much  by 
neglecting  the  inductive  process,  as  physicians  by  neg- 
lecting the  deductive.  Think  not,  because  I  have  allud- 
ed to  the  skeptical  tendencies  of  medicine,  that  I  seek  to 
place  a  stigma  upon  it  in  the  eyes  of  good  men.  It  is  a 
profession  which,  for  genius,  learning,  and  humanity;  for 
industry,  experiment,  and  persevering,  self-denying,  and 
perilous  researches;  for  a  patient  submission  to  peovish- 


LOOrC    AND    MEDICAL    SCIENCE.  325 

ness,  a  generous  sacrifice  of  pleasure,  ease,  and  even  de- 
votion to  the  calls  of  duty,  and  a  manly  forgiveness  of 
the  basest  selfishness  and  ingratitude,  is  wholly  unsur- 
passed. To  Medicine  I  owe  an  unspeakable  debt. 
Whenever  I  have  eaten  the  bread  of  sorrow,  or  drank 
the  cup  of  affliction,  she  has  been  my  Good  Samaritan ; 
she  has  calmed  ray  anxieties,  mitigated  my  pains,  awak- 
ened my  hopes,  and  often  counted  my  pulse,  and  cooled 
my  tongue  at  the  midnight  as  well  as  the  morning  watch; 
and  when,  with  tears,  I  have  ofi'ered  remuneration,  she 
has  gently  replaced  my  slender  purse  beneath  my  pillow. 
To  her  skill — a  skill  which  I  ascribe  to  Divine  Wisdom 
and  mercy — I  owe  the  prolongation  of  my  life.  The  more 
I  see  her  value,  the  more  profoundly  do  I  regret  that 
powers  so  commanding,  and  generosity  so  noble,  should 
so  rarely  be  found  in  union  with  religious  faith. 

Finally,  young  gentlemen,  cultivate  a  love  for  your  pro- 
fession— it  i^  one  which,  from  its  indispensable  import- 
ance, and  from  the  extent  and  directness  of  its  contact 
with  the  public  mind,  must  contribute  largely  to  mold 
the  character  of  your  country;  study  it,  and  strive  to 
bring  about  that  period  when  its  name  shall  every-where 
be  suggestive  of  a  harmonious  combination  of  the  no- 
blest qualities  of  mind  and  heart. 


326  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


finis  ia  |0nl|. 

¥E  hope  that  we  have  many  young  readers.  For  such 
we  delight  to  write;  because  we  may  expect,  without 
much  vanity,  to  profit  as  well  as  to  please  them.  Should 
grave  wisdom  direct  its  eye  hither,  we  beseech  it  to  turn 
over,  while  we  endeavor  to  impart  to  youthful  friends  the 
benefit  of  our  own  experience  and  observation  relative  to 
certain  small  matters. 

Take  care  of  the  hodi/.  It  is  a  beautiful  abode  of  the 
soul — all  its  apartments  and  furniture  evince  Divine  wis- 
dom and  goodness — it  is  a  system  of  useful,  instruments, 
by  which  the  spirit  may  acquire  knowledge  and  strength, 
and  achieve  works  of  wisdom  and  beneficence — it  is  a 
medium  of  communication  with  nature  and  with  man — 
it  is  called,  in  Scripture,  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and,  in  its  incorruptible,  spiritual,  and  glorious  form,  is 
to  be  the  eternal  habitation  of  the  redeemed,  and  sancti- 
fied, and  glorified  soul.  As  we  value  the  comfort  and 
usefulness  of  the  spirit,  we  should  prize  the  health  of 
the  body — as  we  honor  God,  and  admire  his  works,  let 
us  be  careful  of  that  beautiful  specimen  of  his  handiwork 
which  he  has  committed  to  our  keeping. 

To  secure  the  health  of  the  body,  it  is  necessary  to 
exercise  its  members  at  least  three  hours  a  day.  That 
employment  or  pastime  is  best  which  calls  into  exercise 
the  greatest  number  of  muscles. 

But  exercise,  to  be  useful,  must  be  taken  with  a  good 
will,  and  in  a  good  humor.     A  vigorous  circulation  re- 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  327 

quires  a  clieerful  heart,  and  an  elastic  footstep  demands 
a  buoyant  spirit.  Do  not  walk  the  street  with  a  meas- 
ured pace  and  downcast  look,  like  a  soldier  marking  time 
to  the  "Dead  March."  Don't  work  your  problems,  nor 
mature  your  griefs,  nor  plan  your  enterprises  in  your 
rambles,  But  "over  the  hills  and  far  away" — mount 
Bucephalus,  and,  facing  the  morning  sun,  plunge  into 
the  forest,  and  brush  the  dew  from  the  bushes — or,  call- 
ing your  favorite  dog,  in  the  mellowed  light  of  evening, 
chase  the  fox,  or  tree  the  coon,  or  track  the  rabbit — or, 
climbing  the  mountain-side,  look  out  from  its  misty 
brow — or  sit  by  the  cataract  and  commune  with  the  dash- 
ing waters,  and  scattering  spray,  and  dancing  rainbows, 
and  eternal  murmurs — or  chase  the  warbling  rivulet, 
and  gaze  on  the  beauteous  forms  mirrored  in  its  clear 
waters — or,  if  you  please,  look  up  cowslips  on  the  mead- 
ows, or  poppies  in  the  rye,  or  tulips  in  the  valley  for 
your  "Ain  kin'  dearie,  O" — or,  when  in  riper  years, 
run  races  with  the  little  ones  in  the  orchard,  or  through 
the  vineyards,  or  over  the  lawn.  Let  your  spirit  learn 
to  be  joyous  in  the  fields  of  nature,  and  to  catch  the 
inspiration  of  its  light,  and  freshness,  and  green.  So 
shall  you  have  a  merry  pulse,  a  joyous  arm,  and  a  lively 
footstep. 

Inactivity  is  the  temporal  ruin  of  the  man.  It  brings 
disease,  cuts  short  the  days,  impairs  the  mind,  disturbs 
the  temper,  makes  the  subject  and  his  companions  miser- 
able, and  peoples  fancy's  airy  world  with  a  thousand  hide- 
ous forms.  Men  are  not  always  mindful  that  by  indo- 
lence they  induce  disease.  No  law  of  nature  can  be 
violated  with  impunity;  but  because  sentence  against 
lounging  is  not  speedily  executed,  therefore  the  heart  of 
the  sons  of  men  is  set  in  them  to  be  idle.  Though  the 
sentence,  however,  be  delayed,  it  is  sure  to  come.  Jus- 
tice may  hobble  along  with  a  lame  foot ;  but  he  will  over- 


328  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

take  the  sinner  at  last.  You  might  as  well  hope  to  stop  a 
race-horse  on  the  brink  of  a  precipice,  as  to  avert  disease 
if  you  fail  to  exercise  the  muscles.  And  when  disease 
comes,  no  repentance  or  reformation  shall  seduce  it  from 
its  work,  though  health  be  sought  "carefully  with  tears." 

Be  as  mindful,  therefore,  to  take  daily  exercise  as 
daily  food.  Do  not  say,  ''I  have  no  time."  To  neglect 
the  body  is  to  lose  time,  by  shortening  your  days.  Do 
not  say,  "  I  will  sacrifice  my  health  to  the  improvement 
of  my  mind."  You  will  find  the  mind  rapidly  fail  under 
such  a  course.  Whatever  be  your  mental  occupation, 
whether  it  demand  memory,  or  fancy,  or  thought,  or 
feeling,  you  can  do  more  in  five  minutes,  with  a  body 
renovated  in  the  fields,  and  a  mind  inspired  with  nature's 
fairest  works,  than  in  five  hours,  under  the  influence  of  a 
sluggish  pulse. 

Would  you  be  healthy,  be  careful  in  relation  to  your 
diet.  As  this  is  not  a  professional  work,  physiology 
would  be  out  of  place  here.  But  suffer  us  to  give  a 
few  plain  directions,  which  we  hope  you  will  take  upon 
trust  when  we  assure  you  that  they  pass  current  with  the 
doctors. 

Though  the  appetite  is  the  index  to  nature's  wants,  it 
is  not  always  a  true  index.  In  disease  it  must  often  be 
disregarded,  and  in  health  it  must  never  be  fully  satiated. 
Rise  from  breakfast  with  appetite,  if  you  would  not  sit 
down  to  dinner  without  it.  Ours  is  a  land  of  abundance, 
and  its  inhabitants  have  acquired  habits  of  indulgence 
unknown  in  many  parts  of  the  old  world.  If  persons  are 
abstemious  they  will  rarely  suffer  from  disease.  The 
blood  will  course  freely  through  the  veins,  the  brain  will 
sit  at  ease,  and  a  feeling  of  comfort  will  spread  over 
every  organ  and  member.  The  intellect  will  feel  at 
liberty,  and  bound  with  elastic  step  over  the  most  diffi- 
cult steeps  of  science,  or  the  most  romantic  fields  of 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  329 

fancy.  Abstinence  is  often  of  service,  especially  after 
indulgence.  Was  it  not  Bonaparte  who  said,  ''When 
my  stomach  gets  out  of  humor,  I  withhold  supplies  till 
it  cries  for  mercy?"  Do  not  suppose  that  I  would  have 
you  so  abstemious  as  to  induce  feebleness.  While  the 
body  would  lose  much,  the  soul  would  gain  nothing  from 
such  a  regimen.  A  vigorous  intellect  requires  a  healthy 
brain,  and  a  cheerful  brain  demands  a  rich  blood.  If 
you  eat  to  repletion,  however,  you  sin,  and  must  suffer. 
Under  these  circumstances,  if  you  take  proper  exercise, 
your  food  may  be  digested;  but  the  blood  will  be  in- 
creased— its  vessels  enlarged — its  circulation  accelerated, 
and  a  state  of  plethora  will  be  induced,  which  will  render 
you  liable  to  acute  disease  in  various  forms.  But  if  you 
add  indolence  to  gluttony,  your  digestive  apparatus  will 
fail  under  its  accumulated  labors,  and  dyspepsia,  with  all 
its  crudities  and  acids,  its  melancholy  apprehensions  and 
sour  spirits,  will  come  upon  you,  rendering  you  a  burden 
to  yourselves  and  to  others,  and  inducing  your  friends, 
perchance,  to  lock  you  up — in  an  editor's  office. 

In  reference  to  the  quality  of  food  it  matters  but  little, 
if  the  quantity  be  properly  regulated.  The  stomach  is 
an  excellent  chemist,  and  can  analyze  and  compound 
almost  any  thing,  if  you  do  not  give  him  too  much  to 
do.  There  are  many  things,  however,  placed  on  the 
table,  which  ought  never  to  be  seen  there — such  as 
pastry  and  preserves.  If  I  had  unlimited  authority,  I 
would  banish  them  all.  "But  what  should  we  do  for 
dessert  when  favored  with  company?"  Why,  how  much 
better  is  a  plate  of  figs,  or  a  basket  of  apples,  or  a  few 
bunches  of  lucious  grapes,  than  pies,  cakes,  or  puddings  ? 
And"  as  to  liquids,  cold  water,  milk  and  water,  or  lemon- 
ade, are  far  preferable  to  all  the  decoctions  of  foreign 
herbs.     The  former  invigorate,  the  latter  debilitate. 

But  I  fancy  a  reader  inquires,  "Is' the  writer  a  Gra- 
28 


380  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

hamite?"  By  no  means.  We  believe  nature  intended 
that  a  man  should  have  a  mixed  diet  of  animal  and 
vegetable  food.  We  think  anatomy  and  physiology,  as 
well  as  experience,  teach  this  lesson.  Nevertheless,  we 
humbly  conceive  that  many  countries — among  them  our 
own — consume  too  much  animal  food.  Perhaps,  for 
sedentary  persons,  animal  food  once  a  day  is  sufficient. 

Be  careful  of  your  personal  appearance.  I  do  not  ask 
you  to  follow  the  fashions — to  lay  the  neck  bare  one  week, 
and  cover  it  with  curly  locks  the  next — to  comb  the  hair 
one  way  to-day  and  another  way  to-morrow;  but  I  do  ask 
you  to  have  as  much  mercy  upon  your  own  head  as  you 
do  upon  your  horse's;  and  while  you  direct  the  groom  to 
use  the  curry-comb,  see  that  the  barber  uses  the  comb. 
It  has  been  said  that  cleanliness  is  next  thing  to  godli- 
ness, and  we  have  often  wished  that  ablutions  were  a 
part  of  our  religion.  We  hope  to  see  the  day  when  the 
bath-room  shall  be  as  common  as  -^.he  kitchen.  We 
think  we  shall  then  have  cleaner  prose,  clearer  music,  and 
sweeter  poetry.  The  mind  partakes  in  the  comforts  and 
distresses  of  the  body.  0,  for  clear  fountains  and  cool- 
ing streams !  Methinks  they  can  almost  put  out  the  fire 
of  passion,  and  spread  good  nature  through  the  soul. 
Would  you  be  in  good  humor  with  yourself,  pay  due 
respect  to  your  wash-stand.  In  cleanliness  is  seen  one 
of  the  great  difiFerences  between  the  pagan  and  the 
Christian.  The  sweetness  of  the  sanctified  spirit  sheds 
its  influences  upon  the  person. 

Shall  we  be  considered  as  descending  if  we  allude  to 
apparel  ?  We  hate  foppishness — aping  great  men.  Be- 
cause a  prince,  afflicted  with  king's  evil,  conceals  his 
neck  in  a  high  cravat,  is  that  any  reason  why  we  should 
bind  up  ours?  Because  some  afflicted  queen  endeavors, 
by  the  form  of  her  dress,  to  hide  a  curvature  of  the 
spine,    why  should   the   fair   of  America   imitate   her? 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  331 

Extravagance  in  dress  is  as  much  to  be  condemned  as 
foppishness.  Let  the  ornaments  of  the  man  be  a  brill- 
iant mind,  a  holy  heart,  and  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit. 
Let  the  decorations  of  the  woman  be,  not  "pearls,  or 
gold,  or  costly  array,"  but  modesty,  intelligence,  and  so- 
briety. A  Grecian  matron,  when  asked  for  her  orna- 
ments, said,  "The  virtues  of  my  husband  are  a  sufficient 
ornament  for  me."  Another,  when  challenged  for  her 
jewels,  summoned  her  sons.  It  is  proper,  however,  that 
our  garments  should  comport  with  the  habits  of  our 
country,  and  our  pursuits  and  standing  in  society;  and 
though  comfortable,  plain,  and  far  from  extravagant,  they 
should  evince  a  proper  respect  for  ourselves  and  our 
fellow-men.  We  believe  it  is  easier  to  go  through  the 
world  in  a  good  garment  than  in  a  ragged  one;  and  as  a 
man  is  responsible  for  all  the  influence  he  can  acquire, 
he  is  bound  to  secure  a  decent  apparel.  "  My  banker," 
said  one,  "always  makes  a  low  bow  to  my  neto  coat,  and 
a  slight  one  to  my  old."  It  will  be  time  enough  when 
we  have  mastered  the  world  to  disregard  its  prejudices. 
We  pity  the  wife  who  is  not  as  careful  to  please  her  hus- 
band as  she  was,  when  a  maid,  to  please  her  beau. 

Be  mindful  of  your  manners.  True  politeness  is  of 
great  service.  Its  spring  is  good  nature.  One  may,  by 
reading  books  like  Chesterfield's,  and  mingling  in  pol- 
ished society,  acquire  certain  habits,  and  obtain  certain 
rules,  which  will  enable  him  to  pass  off  as  a  gentleman ; 
but  unless  the  milk  of  human  kindness  flows  in  his  veins, 
and  a  just  regard  for  his  fellow-beings  finds  place  in  his 
heart,  his  politeness  will  be  but  disgusting  hypocrisy. 
Vain  is  the  attempt  to  deceive  the  world.  It  has  too 
sharp  an  eye,  and  too  thoughtful  a  brain.  Every  gesture 
and  compliment  is  a  matter  of  analysis,  and  through  the 
most  complicated  processes  of  investigation  is  traced  to 
its  true  motive.     The  great  world,  too,  is  a  good  physi- 


332  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ognomist,  and  knows  how  to  look  through  the  window 
of  the  soul.  To  be  polite  is  to  please,  but  an  attempt  to 
please  without  the  desire  is  worse  than  useless. 

The  best  maxims  of  politeness  are  found  in  the  Scrip- 
tures. Such  are  these :  "  Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to 
another  with  brotherly  love,  in  honor  preferring  one  an- 
other;" "Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens;"  "Let  no 
corrupt^communication  proceed  out  of  your  mouth,  but 
that  which  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  that  it  may 
minister  grace  to  the  hearers ;"  "Wisdom  is  pure,  peace- 
able, gentle,  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy  and 
good  fruits,  without  partiality  and  without  hypocrisy;" 
"  Charity  vaunteth  not  itself,  is  not  easily  provoked, 
thinketh  no  evil,"  etc.  Let  that  mind  be  in  you  which  was 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  you  can  not  but  be  polite;  for  such 
a  feeling  will  find  expression  in  some  form.  Nature  will 
be  at  no  more  loss  to  make  it  known  than  she  is  to  give 
utterance  to  filial  or  maternal  love ;  and  however  un- 
graceful or  even  ofi"ensive  to  ears  polite  may  be  the  mode 
selected,  the  heart  will  acknowledge  the  language  of  its 
fellow-heart.  Let  a  man,  however,  be  endued  with  this 
feeling,  and  he  can  readily — by  thoughtfulness  and  an 
observance  of  good  models  of  gentility — acquire  a  grace- 
ful mode  of  expression.  "Consider  one  another;"  that 
is,  think  of  your  fellows,  of  their  joys,  their  sorrows, 
their  hopes,  their  disappointments,  their  interests — think 
how  you  can  allay  their  griefs,  or  promote  their  happi- 
ness— think  of  your  friends,  and  of  what  you  would  do 
and  say  under  an  exchange  of  circumstances.  It  may 
be  that  the  kindest  men  may  be  deemed  boorish,  at 
times,  for  want  of  consideration.  Would  you  learn  gen- 
tility, observe  those  who  have  it. 

Be  careful  of  your  temper.  A  glad  heart  makes  a 
sweet  countenance,  and  a  smiling  face  is  like  the  sun  in 
his  beauty.     Whatever  may  be  the  attraction  of  a  lady's 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  333 

intellect,  or  person,  or  acquirements,  she  is  repulsive,  if 
she  be  of  a  gloomy  disposition.  Her  best  friends  will 
be  uneasy  in  her  presence;  and  though  some  "good 
Samaritan  "  may  be  willing  to  pour  oil  upon  her  wounded 
spirit,  the  priest  and  the  Levite  will  instinctively  pass 
by  on  the  other  side.  We  have  generally  sorrows  enough 
of  our  own,  without  hearing  one  another's  woes.  Most 
of  our  troubles  are  imaginary.  Never,  therefore,  nurse 
evil  apprehensions,  and  you  will  never  be  melancholy. 
There  is  no  philosophy  like  the  philosophy  of  the  Scrip- 
tures: "Take  no  thought  for  the  morrow:  sufficient  unto 
the  day  is  the  evil  thereof."  Were  every  one  satisfied 
with  her  daily  bread  of  affliction,  there  would  be  but 
little  murmuring.  Keep  in  good  humor  with  the  future — 
it  has  never  done  you  harm — why  complain  of  it?  Bear 
kindly  the  afflicting  dispensations  of  Providence.  They 
are  all  arranged  for  your  good ;  and  if  cheerfully  and 
piously  endured,  will  be  pleasing  and  profitable  exercises 
for  the  heart  or  mind,  or  both.  Providence,  moreover, 
like  the  earth,  is  in  perpetual  revolution,  and  its  darkest 
midnight  is  followed  by  the  dawn.  There  is  a  heavenly 
alchemy  which  transmutes  anguish  into  rapture.  I  would 
oppose  to  Pandora's  Box,  Paul's  paradox — "  As  sorrowful, 
yet  always  rejoicing. "  David's  heart  caroled  in  its  sad- 
ness, and  the  wildest  and  sweetest  notes  of  his  harp  were 
touched  by  the  hand  that  felt  the  Father's  rod.  Why 
should  a  living  man  complain?  When  stripped  of  every 
thing,  bow  down  in  humble  and  grateful  adoration,  and 
thank  God  that  you  have  a  body  and  a  soul.  And  shall 
a  saint  repine?  Would  a  pardoned  culprit,  trembling 
beneath  the  halter,  complain  because  the  government  did 
"not  send  a  coach  and  four  to  convey  him  from  the  gal- 
lows ?  and  shall  a  sinner,  raised  from  the  mouth  of  hell, 
murmur  because  angel  wings  don't  waft  him  gently  to 
the  throne  of  God? 


884  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

A  melancholy  mind  imparts  a  gloomy  tinge  to  every 
thing  around  it.  Though  nature,  to  the  clear  eye,  is  like 
to  Eden,  yet  for  the  jaundiced  one  she  has  no  charms. 
No  hills  are  green — no  dells  are  dewy — no  paths  are 
flowery — no  steeps  are  breezy  to  moping  grief.  In  Provi- 
dence there  is  a  bright  and  a  dark  side  to  every  picture. 
Endeavor  to  look  constantly  at  the  latter.  He  who 
searches  for  trouble  is  pretty  sure  to  find  it — he  who 
courts  enjoyment  sees  her  not  afar. 

Always  keep  in  good  humor  with  yourself.  "We  would 
not  have  you  blind  to  your  sins,  but  know  the  worst  of 
them,  and  repent  and  believe  to  the  saving  of  the  soul. 
But  be  satisfied  with  your  capacities  of  mind  and  body. 
Rest  assured  they  are  the  best  for  you — the  very  gifts 
which  Infinite  Wisdom  sees  that  you  can  best  improve. 
Be  satisfied  with  your  sphere.  Sometimes  you  will  meet 
with  disappointments — bear  them  with  grace.  For  in- 
stance, you  intend  to  be  a  speaker — well,  beware  of  mor- 
tification. You  read,  and  study,  and  write,  and  in- 
tend to  make  a  wonderful  display — ^you  expect  now  to 
raise  a  shout,  and  now  a  laugh,  and  now,  perchance, 
you  hope  to  see  a  lady  faint;  and  anon  you  design 
to  raise  the  audience  to  their  feet;  and  you  promise 
yourself  that,  as  you  leave  the  court-room,  every  eye 
will  look  toward  you,  and  the  young  ladies  will  smile, 
and  become  envious  of  the  favorite;  and  she,  the  be- 
loved of  the  orator,  will  be  entranced,  and  murmurs 
of  applause  will  roll  in  whispers  on  your  ear,  such 
as  "great  man,''  ''fine  speech,"  ''true  eloquence."  The 
day  arrives — the  audience  assemble — all  eyes  are  fixed  — 
all  ears  are  open — handkerchiefs  rise  up  to  catch  the 
tears,  and  smelling-bottles  push  their  corks  half  open. 
The  speaker  labors — alas  !  his  mind  is  rigid — his  tongue 
is  stiff — his  figures  flounder — ^his  arguments  tumble 
down — the  peroration  is  forgotten.     The  audience  rise  in 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.      J  335 

confusion,  and  the  speaker  sits  down  in  perspiration. 
And  now  the  ladies  smile  at  one  another,  the  favorite 
hides  her  head,  and  the  young  rivals  sneer,  and  the  mali- 
cious breezes  whisper,  "  Rather  flat." 

Well,  young  man,  hold  up  your  head.  Do  not  let  the 
audience  know  that  you  have  failed,  and  they  will,  per- 
haps, soon  forget  the  failure,  or  even  change  their  minds, 
and  reproach  their  dullness  for  not  perceiving  your  brill- 
iancy, and  their  shallowness  for  not  appreciating  your 
profundity.  Suppose  you  have  failed,  and  every  body 
knows  it.  Do  not  be  troubled — calm  yourself  with  the 
consolation  of  the  valorous  Falstafi" — "He  that  fights  and 
runs  away,  may  live  to  fight  another  day." 

Keep  in  a  good  humor  with  the  world.  Mankind  are 
not  all  rascals,  though  an  honest  man  wants  bread.  The 
world  are  not  all  fools,  though  a  genius  has  no  praise. 
Remember  that  Homer  sung  for  bread,  and  Goldsmith 
wrote  in  a  garret;  and  who  are  you?  You  may  be  great 
and  wise — we  do  not  dispute  your  claims — ^you  may  be  a 
Cicero  or  a  Webster — a  Mrs.  Sigourney  or  a  Hannah 
More;  but  you  must  give  the  world  a  fair  opportunity  to 
understand  your  powers.  Moreover,  you  may  make  the 
world  as  cross  or  good-natured  as  you  please.  If  you 
treat  it  roughly,  you  will  be  treated  roughly  in  return. 
Smile  at  it,  and  it  will  answer  with  a  smile.  He  that 
would  have  friends,  must  show  himself  friendly.  Do  not 
look  round  for  imperfections,  saying,  here  is  a  rascal,  and 
there  is  a  fop,  this  is  a  fool  and  that  is  a  bankrupt.  It 
may  all  be  true;  but  why  say  so?  Qui  bono?  Look 
round  for  excellences.  If  you  contend  with  the  world 
you  will  find  fearful  odds  against  you.  Speak  evil  of  no 
man.  When  others  speak  evil  of  a  man,  do  you  speak 
good.  No  man  so  perfect  as  not  to  have  some  defects — 
none  so  frail  as  not  to  have  some  fine  quality. 

And  now  my  pen  addresses  itself  particularly  to  tho 


336  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

young  gentlemen.  Be  in  the  good  graces  of  the  ladies. 
You  have  learned  already  that  a  mother's  love,  though 
cheap,  is  priceless — that  a  sister's  aflFection  is  an  impene- 
trable shield.  I  pity  the  youth  who  does  not  know 
the  value  of  woman's  influence.  He  can  not  succeed. 
Whether  he  be  carpenter  or  mason,  sovereign  or  shoe- 
black, priest  or  politician,  he  is  a  ruined  man  without  the 
favor  of  the  ladies.  No  pursuit  so  low,  none  so  high,  as 
to  be  beyond  woman's  reach.  Needles  and  bayonets 
move  at  her  command — turkeys  and  tyrants  roast  on  her 
spit — coursers  and  candidates  run  at  her  will,  and  crowds 
and  cradles  hush  at  her  lullaby.  Her  smile  is  prosper- 
ity— her  indignation  brings  trouble.  Great  as  is  her  in- 
fluence, it  is  no  more  than  she  deserves.  The  purest  feel- 
ings of  the  heart  receive  their  earliest  and  noblest  devel- 
opments in  her  character.  The  mother's  afi"ection,  the 
wife's  devotion,  the  sister's  love,  who  shall  paint?  In 
scenes  of  poverty  and  suff'ering  she  is  an  angel  of  mercy. 
At  the  altar  of  God  her  prayers  are  the  warmest  incense, 
her  songs  the  sweetest  praise. 

But  how  shall  woman's  influence  be  secured?  The 
weak  side  of  a  mother's  heart  is  her  maternal  love.  You 
may  easily  procure  a  welcome  to  the  family  if  you  treat 
the  children  with  kindness  and  attention.  Notice  the 
babe — its  blue  eye — its  rosy  cheek — calm  its  griefs,  and 
enter  into  its  tiny  joys.  And  who  would  not?  Are  you 
the  man,  reader?  Then  there  is  no  love  nor  music  in 
your  soul,  and  you  do  not  deserve  favor.  What  creature 
so  beautiful  as  the  infant  man  ?  Our  Savior  took  little 
children  in  his  arms  and  blessed  them. 

Make  the  best  of  your  country  and  location.  The  for- 
eigner generally  brings  down  a  world  of  prejudices  upon 
himself  by  contrasting  his  native  with  his  adopted  coun- 
try. Comparing  Washington  with  London,  the  White 
House  with  Windsor  Castle,  Trinity  with  St.  Paul's,  he 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  337 

disgusts  all  around  him.  Give  liim  an  apple,  and  he 
must  speak  of  the  superior  orchards  of  Great  Britain,  or 
a  peach,  and  he  will  boast  of  the  size  and  flavor  of  those 
across  the  water.  Present  him  a  basket  of  cherries,  and 
he  praises  the  large,  luscious  English  garden  cherry,  that 
grows  by  the  wall.  He  meets  with  nothing  to  please 
him — as  though  we  had  no  earth  or  heaven,  water  or  at- 
mosphere, thunder  or  lightning,  worth  a  farthing.  Were 
he  to  turn  his  attention  and  conversation  upon  our  advant- 
ages, upon  the  superiority  of  our  forests  and  mountains, 
our  seas  and  rivers,  our  soil  and  climate,  he  would  receive 
a  hearty  welcome,  and  be  a  popular  man. 

We  have  known  a  talented  and  pious  clergyman  to  lose 
all  influence  with  his  people  by  harping  on  the  evils  and 
disadvantages  of  his  location,  while  we  have  seen  his  in- 
ferior become  a  universal  favorite  by  pointing  out  the 
beauties  and  excellences  of  the  surrounding  hills. 

Beware  of  bad  habits. 

''Choose  that  which  is  most  fit,"  said  Pythagoras, 
"and  custom  will  make  it  most  convenient."  There  are 
many  bad  habits  prevalent  in  our  day  of  which  we  would 
have  you  beware.  Gentlemen  have  a  fashion  of  sitting 
which  we  know  must  give  ladies  much  uneasiness,  since 
it  wears  holes  both  in  the  carpet  and  the  wall,  and  often 
divorces  the  seats  of  chairs  from  their  backs.  A  worthy 
and  witty  friend  propelled  us  to  the  borders  of  convul- 
sions once,  at  his  hospitable  table,  when  he  described  the 
predicament,  on  a  particular  occasion,  of  a  certain  indi- 
vidual, who,  having  perhaps  read  in  Thomas  Aquinas, 
that  the  human  intelligence  rocked  itself  on  the  center" 
of  two  horizons,  was  in  the  habit  of  reminding  himself 
of  that  sublime  truth,  by  poising  his  body  upon  his  chair. 
On  a  visit  to  President  Jefferson,  being  somewhat  embar- 
rassed, and  not  paying  due  respect  to  his  antero-posterior 
motions,  he  was  very  painfully  assured  of  the  important 

29 


888  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

principle  that  bodies  corresponding  solely  to  time  and 
epace,  have  both  a  hie  and  a  nunc,  so  that  if  by  gravita- 
tion or  any  other  cause  they  are  removed  from  one  place 
they  must  go  to  another.  We  can  think  of  no  excuse  for 
the  habit  to  which  we  refer,  unless  the  philosophy  be 
correct  which  teaches  that  to  attain  to  true  wisdom  a  man 
must  imitate  the  motion  of  the  stars,  so  as  to  produce  a 
giddiness  which  frees  the  mind  from  "sensible  notions," 
and  raises  it  to  the  region  of  illumination.  In  spite  of 
Tophail,  however,  the  ladies  can  cure  this  habit  at  once 
by  having  castors  put  under  their  chairs. 

There  is  a  plant  which  was  hailed,  at  its  introduction 
into  the  world,  in  the  middle  of  the  fifteenth  century,  as 
one  of  the  wonders  of  America,  and  which,  through  a 
strange  coincidence,  was  first  conveyed  into  the  eternal 
city  by  a  descendant  of  that  illustrious  man  who  first 
brought  to  Rome  the  wood  of  the  true  (?)  cross.  This 
plant  appears  to  have  a  peculiar  charm  for  three  animals : 
a  certain  worm,  a  particular  goat,  and  a  creature  in  the 
image  of  God.  It  is  used  in  various  forms:  some  grind 
it  to  powder,  and  ofi'er  it  to  themselves  as  the  heathen 
present  incense  to  their  idols — others  curl  it  into  little 
stems  which  they  burn,  as  the  converted  pagan  does  his 
god;  while  a  third  class  roll  it,  like  the  sinner  does  his 
sins,  as  a  sweet  morsel  under  the  tongue.  We  protest,  ex 
cathedra,  against  its  use  in  any  form. 

The  practice  of  using  snuff- — not  uncommon  among  the 
fair — injures  the  voice.  We  have  known  several  distin- 
guished speakers  deprived — in  no  small  degree — of  their 
charm  by  this  habit.  Nor  is  this  the  worst.  Why  did 
Pope  Urban  VIII  publish  a  decree  of  excommunication 
against  all  who  took  snufi"  in  the  Church?  Though  we 
grant  that  this  bull  was  rather  severe,  we  believe,  never- 
theless, that  his  Holiness  was  a  very  discerning  man. 

The  practice  of  smoking  causes  a  waste  of  time  and 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  339 

money,  and  subjects  us  to  great  inconvenience.  A  man 
will  sometimes  find  company,  even  at  his  own  fireside,  to 
whom  the  ashes  and  fumes  of  tobacco  are  far  from  agree- 
able. I  speak  not  now  of  such  as  are  peculiarly  suscepti- 
ble, and  liable  to  "die  of  a  rose  in  aromatic  pain."  Very 
few  who  have  not  been  accustomed  to  breathe  such  in- 
cense as  that  of  the  pipe,  can  endure  it  long  in  a  close 
room  without  discomfort.  And  what  will  you  do,  gentle 
reader,  if  you  become  the  room-mate — at  college  or  else- 
where— of  one  whose  olfactories  and  lungs  are  delicate, 
or  when  shut  up  in  a  stage-coach  or  a  cabin  on  a  cold 
day,  with  nervous  companions,  to  whom  you  are  bound  to 
show  respect?  Should  you  carry  this  habit  into  the  itin- 
erant ministry,  how  often  will  it  give  you  uneasiness! 
You  will  not,  surely,  defile  the  prophets'  chamber,  or  the 
holy  altar. 

This  practice  offends  against  what  has  been  called — 
next  thing  to  godliness.  We  would  not  declaim  against 
it  as  did  King  James  I,  who  said  it  was  "a  custom  loath- 
some to  the  eye,  hateful  to  the  nose,  harmful  to  the  brain, 
dangerous  to  the  lungs,  and  in  the  black  stinking  fumes 
thereof  nearest  resembling  the  horrible  Stygian  smoke 
of  the  pit  that  is  bottomless;"  but  we  may  surely  be  al- 
lowed to  say  that  it  is  not  charming  to  the  senses.  We 
have  seen  ladies  smoking — young  ones,  too.  0,  tell  it 
not  in  Christendom ;  publish  it  not  in  the  streets  of  Cin- 
cinnati !  It  was  customary  among  the  ancients  for  a  lass 
to  eat  a  quince  on  her  bridal  day,  that  her  breath  might 
be  fragrant  at  the  altar,  and  that  the  odor  of  her  lips 
might  suggest  mellifluous  discourse,  and  spiritual  sweet- 
ness. What  bridegroom  would  not  prefer  the  odor  of  the 
quince  and  its  purifying  associations,  to  the  fumes  of  the 
"herb  of  immortal  fame,"  and  dreams  of  bar-rooms  and 
blackguards  ? 

We  know  it  is  unpopular  to  write  against  a  favorite 


340  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

custom;  but  then  we  do  not,  as  did  the  legislature  of 
Russia  in  1634,  forbid  your  smoking,  under  pain  of 
having  your  noses  cut  off,  nor  do  we  propose  to  issue  a 
decree,  as  did  Amurath  IV,  pronouncing  it  a  capital  of- 
fense. We  write  so  gently  that  you  can  not  be  offended; 
indeed,  when  we  see  a  man  in  the  winter  of  life  sitting 
by  a  lone  fire,  and  musing  over  the  flight  of  happy  hours, 
we  would  not  diminish  the  consolation  which  he  draws, 
in  his  solitude,  from  his  long  white  pipe  tipped  with  red 
sealing  wax;  nor  would  we  deprive  the  rude  Indian  of  his 
emblem  of  peace,  nor  the  slave  of  his  socializer,  nor  the 
wandering  Arab,  or  the  hardy  Esquimaux,  of  a  luxury 
which  sweetens  his  bitter  hours;  but  we  advise  the 
young,  and  such  especially  as  dwell  within  the  precincts 
of  civilized  life,  to  seek  for  solace  of  a  different  kind. 

We  have  not  spoken  of  the  other  form  of  using  tobac- 
co; but  as  that  is  so  disgusting,  we  will  presume  none  of 
our  readers  are  addicted  to  it;  nor  need  we  tell  the  story 
of  Mrs.  S.,  who  spread  out  her  beautiful  white  satin 
apron  before  her  guests,  as  they  were  defiling  her  new 
Brussels  carpet,  saying,  "Use  this,  gentlemen;  I  can 
wash  this,  but  not  my  carpet."  Allow  us,  in  conclusion, 
to  say  that  tobacco,  in  any  form,  is  ordinarily  injurious  to 
health.  We  do  not,  however,  wish  to  deprive  the  steam 
doctors  of  it,  nor  speak  disparagingly  of  its  merits;  it  is 
a  good  emetic. 

We  should  not  have  touched  upon  this  plant,  but  for 
the  fear  that  its  popularity  is  increasing,  and  that  it  has 
a  great  tendency  to  produce  intemperance  by  causing  a 
dryness  of  the  fauces,  for  which  a  remedy  is  too  often 
sought  in  the  glass. 

Avoid  the  habit  of  speahing  carelessly,  using  ungram- 
matical  expressions,  low  phrases,  unauthorized  words, 
provincialisms,  etc.  This,  you  will  say,  is  a  very  small 
matter;  but  if  a  neglect  of  such  counsel  should  preclude 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  341 

your  admission  into  more  refined  circles  of  society,  it  will 
prove  to  you  a  matter  of  some  consequence.     Wealth, 
station,  influential  connections,  may  do  much  toward  se- 
curing respect;    but  vulgarity  can  counteract   them   all. 
Wit  and  intelligence,  enchanting  as   they  are,  can   not 
atone  for  those  coarse  expressions  which  denote  ill-breed- 
ing and  low  conceptions.     Many  amiable   ladies,  whose 
connections  are   wealthy,   of  high   official   standing,   and 
great  political  influence,  wonder  why  it  is  they  are  not 
admitted  to  the  circles  to  which  they  aspire.     Not  a  few 
of  this  class  could  solve  the  perplexing  problem  which 
imbitters  their  existence,  if  they  would  pause  over  the 
hint  just  given.     Pedantry  and  aff"ectation  are  as  much 
to  be  avoided  as  vulgarity.     A  pretended  delicacy  of  ex- 
pression  is   often   a  sign   of  real  indelicacy  of  thought. 
Words  are  often  corrupted  by  the  channel  through  which 
they  pass.     To  the  pure  all  things  are  pure:  "J3bm  soil 
qui  mal  y  pense."     We  question  the  refinement  which 
calls  Hog  Island  Swine  Island,  and  dog  the  "domestic 
quadruped  which  guards  the  habitation."     The  language 
of  Paris  is  that  of  attenuated    refinement;  yet  it  is  the 
vehicle  of  the  grossest  moral  pollution.     Above  all,  shun 
every  appearance  of  profanity.     It  is  a  sure  sign  of  very 
bad  breeding  or  a  very  bad  heart.     Was  it  not  the  prince 
of  modern  philosophers  who  took  off"  his  hat  when  ho 
passed  a  church  ?     Is  it  not  said  of  Boyle  that  when  he 
pronounced   the  name  of  Deity  he  uncovered  his  head  ? 
How   often    is  the  title  of  Jehovah — that  name  which 
rends    mountains — the   tower   of  the  persecuted    Chris- 
tian— the  hope   of  the  dying  man — the  name  at  which 
heaven  bows,  earth  shakes,  hell  trembles — used  with  as 
little  regard  as  that  of  a  slave  ! 

Violate  not  the  first  commandment :  better  kiss  the 
cannon's  mouth.  How  deep  the  depravity  that  can  trifle 
with  the  name  of  the  Creator !     For  other  sins  an  excuse 


342  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

may  be  pleaded ;  for  there  is  scarce  any  which  does  not 
confer  or  promise  pleasure  for  a  season.  This  sin  can 
point  to  no  part  of  our  nature,  and  say  to  the  inquiring 
Judge,  "The  passion  which  thou  gavest  me  did  tempt 
me,  and  I  did  eat."  It  is  the  development  of  sheer  de- 
pravity, unless  the  transgressor  can  plead  that  he  has 
come  up  from  the  very  dregs  of  society,  where  there  is 
no  other  dialect  but  that  of  hell.  When  at  Washington 
City,  I  heard  it  said  of  one  high  in  office,  ''He  swears 
even  in  the  presence  of  ladies."  I  trembled  and  I 
hoped.  I  saw  that  the  nation  was  defying  Heaven  :  I 
saw,  also,  that  religion  was  not  yet  driven  from  her 
stronghold — woman's  heart.  To  the  honor  of  woman, 
let  it  be  said,  that  to  swear  in  her  presence  is  the  climax 
of  impoliteness. 

Be  careful  of  your  character.  No  youth  can  succeed 
in  the  world  without  a  good  reputation.  A  man  may 
have  genius,  and  fancy,  and  wit — profound  learning — a 
charming  person — a  sparkling  conversation;  and  yet, 
devoid  of  integrity,  who  will  give  him  employiuent,  or 
bid  him  welcome?  We  may  admire  him;  but  only  as 
we  do  a  beautiful  and  dangerous  beast.  The  shepherd 
may  smile  at  the  tiger  bounding  through  the  forest,  or 
reposing  in  his  den ;  but  he  would  shudder  to  see  him 
among  the  lambs  of  his  flock.  To  obtain  good  character 
we  must  have  good  morals.  I  need  not  say  there  is  no 
morality  like  that  of  the  Scriptures.  Keep  the  ten  com- 
mandments— they  are  of  infinitely  more  value  than  the 
morals  of  Seneca,  the  precepts  of  Socrates,  or  the  Lives 
of  Plutarch.  They  are  radiant  with  heavenly  light,  and 
worthy  of  Grod.  He  who  observes  them  occupies  an 
elevated  post  in  the  moral  world.  He  enjoys  the  appro- 
bation of  his  reason,  his  conscience,  and  his  heart — he 
commends  himself  to  sinner  no  less  than  saint — he  is 
blessed   of  God.     Earth    rejoices   before    him,    and  joy 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  843 

unbidden  dances  in  his  heart.  I  know  there  appears  to 
be  no  just  hand  in  this  life  to  distribute  good  and  evil 
according  to  desert;  yet  the  observation  of  all  men  will 
justify  the  remark,  that  integrity  is  indispensable  to  per- 
manent prosperity.  Though  the  immoral  man  may  suc- 
ceed for  a  time,  he  shall  not  prosper  long.  Reason  will 
weaken  him  with  her  reproaches,  conscience  alarm  him 
with  her  terrors,  and  the  divine  curse  overtake  his  foot- 
steps. 

Would  you  understand  the  commandments,  however, 
bring  them  to  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount.  In  the  light 
of  this  commentary,  we  see  their  beauty  and  divinity. 
They  are  not  confined  to  the  overt  act;  they  require  a 
sinless  motive.  Would  you  keep  the  commandments  per- 
fectly, you  must  not  have  a  heart  from  which  proceed 
"evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulteries,"  etc.  I  know  there 
is  an  outside  morality,  which  makes  a  man  as  a  whited 
sepulcher;  but  trust  it  not;  the  stone  may  be  rolled 
away,  and  the  rottenness  laid  open  to  the  light  of  heaven. 
Would  you  have  perfect,  and  pure,  and  vital  morality,  you 
must  have  a  purified  heart.  Make  the  fountain  pure,  and 
the  stream  will  be  pure.  But  where  shall  the  heart  be 
washed  of  its  stains  ?  In  the  fountain  of  a  Savior's  blood. 
I  have  no  faith  in  any  morality  that  has  not  found  out 
"  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified." 

These  general  observations  are  sufficient  for  our  pur- 
pose; but  I  can  not  refrain  from  some  specific  directions. 
Be  observant  of  truth.  Scarce  any  man  falls  into  vice 
and  crime  who  is  willing,  at  all  hours,  to  tell  the  truth, 
the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth.  Falsehood 
is  the  gate  of  the  road  to  ruin.  If  once  a  young  man 
learns  to  lie,  he  is  ready  for  almost  any  sin ;  because  he 
fancies  he  has  found  a  method  of  concealment.  Who 
steals,  who  counterfeits,  before  he  has  learned  to  falsify? 
Hence,  Satan  is  called  the  father  of  lies.     "All  liars  are 


344  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

to  have  their  portion  in  the  lake  that  burneth  with  brim- 
stone."  An  intuitive  perception  of  the  guilt  of  falsehood 
makes  the  appellation  "  liar"  exceedingly  oflFensive.  Make 
no  distinction  between  white  and  black  lies.  Beware  of 
allowing  gesticulation,  or  manner,  or  countenance,  to 
falsify.  Remember  that  you  may  lie  without  speaking, 
that  you  may  lie  by  exaggerating,  or  diminishing  the 
truth;  that  you  may  lie  even  with  the  truth,  by  giving  it 
a  wrong  arrangement. 

Be  cautious  how  you  make  promises;  make  none  which 
you  do  not  intend  to  fulfill.  I  know  that  such  directions 
are  not  suited  to  our  times  of  reckless  trading  and  wild 
speculation.  I  am  aware,  too,  that  such  care  and  caution 
may  be  incompatible  with  rapid  accumulation;  but  I 
know,  also,  that  the  steps  of  one  who  pursues  such  a 
course,  though  slow,  are  sure;  and  when  he  gains  the 
summit,  he  does  not  find  it  crumble  beneath  him.  How 
immense  the  advantages  of  a  man  who,  having  acquired  a 
reputation  for  punctuality,  passes  his  promises  as  silver! 
How  easy  for  him  to  command  capital  or  secure  patron- 
age !  Many  are  not  aware  that  the  habit  of  falsifying 
steals  on  insidiously.  We  first  lie  for  amusement,  then 
for  convenience,  next  to  conceal  guilt,  or  gratify  malice, 
till,  finally,  we  can  bear  false  witness  against  our  neigh- 
bor, without  the  least  compunction.  Beware,  then,  of 
the  smallest  beginnings  of  falsehood.  Be  guarded  in 
speaking  of  motives  or  matters  of  opinion,  remembering 
that  he  who  asserts  any  thing  as  true,  assumes  the  respon- 
sibility of  ascertaining  it  to  be  so. 

Consider  the  dangerous  consequences  of  falsehood. 
The  fortune  and  character  which  had  been  acquired  by 
a  long  life  of  usefulness,  has  often  been  blasted  by  a  single 
falsehood.  A  soul  has  not  unfrequently  been  hurled  to 
ruin  by  one  lie.  Witness  Ananias  and  Sapphira.  Tell 
me  not  that  lying  is  essential  in  your  profession  or  trade. 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  345 

It  is  a  libel  on  divine  Providence.  There  is  no  lav?ful 
pursuit  in  which  truth  is  not  far  more  advantageous  than 
falsehood.  The  obligations  to  speak  the  truth,  and  the 
blessings  which  flow  from  it,  do  not  depend  upon  the  pur- 
suits of  the  speaker,  or  the  rights  of  the  hearer,  but  our 
relations  to  God.  Truth  is  lovely  in  herself.  Learn  to 
venerate  her  as  the  leader  of  virtue,  the  mother  of  science, 
and  the  attribute  of  God. 

With  a  view  to  facilitate  an  observance  of  truth,  I  sub- 
join a  few  cautions.  Be  slow  in  making  promises.  As 
much  as  lieth  in  you,  owe  no  man  any  thing  but  love.  Be 
wary  bow  you  borrow  or  lend.  The  practice  of  promiscu- 
ous borrowing  is  a  great  fountain  of  falsehood  and  misfor- 
tune. I  will  not  say  that  we  ought  never  to  lend.  The 
great  father  of  English  poetry  says,  without  qualification, 
"Neither  a  lender  nor  borrower  bej"  and,  perhaps,  if  a 
man  were  to  consider  his  own  interest  only,  this  would 
be  an  unexceptionable  precept;  for,  as  the  great  dramatist 
says,  "Use  doth  oft  destroy  both  itself  and  friend." 

But  we  are  not  to  look  solely  to  our  own  interest;  and 
higher  authority  than  Shakspeare  informs  us  that  it  is  our 
duty  to  lend  to  the  poor.  We  are  rarely,  however,  under 
obligation  to  borrow;  suffer  rather  than  do  so.  Better  go 
barefoot  and  bleeding  over  the  ground  than  run  the  risk 
of  losing  a  friend,  blunting  conscience,  and  incurring 
self-degradation,  by  borrowing  means  to  buy  shoes.  Don't 
tell  me  about  the  necessity  of  borrowing.  Few  men  not 
possessed  of  considerable  resources  can  do  so  without 
plunging  into  a  whirlpool  of  engagements  from  which 
it  is  difficult  to  get  out  with  a  clear  character  and  con- 
science. 

Be  decided,  not  only  in  your  opinions,  but  your  course 
of  action.  Having  chosen  your  path  from  a  conviction 
of  its  rectitude,  suffer  nothing  to  divert  you.  Rather 
starve,  or  bleed,  or  burn,  than  act  contrary  to  the  convic- 


846  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

tions  of  your  judgment.  The  desire  to  please  is  an 
amiable  trait  in  the  character  of  youth,  and  is  often  con- 
founded with  humility  and  modesty;  but  it  is  diflFerent 
from  either,  and  has  been  the  temporal  and  eternal  ruin 
of  thousands. 

Firmness  is  the  helm  of  the  mind.  It  can  direct  a 
feeble  intellect  across  a  stormy  ocean.  Without  it,  no 
force  of  thought,  no  depth  of  feeling,  no  resources  of 
learning,  no  power  of  eloquence,  no  clearness  of  mental 
vision,  is  safe  upon  the  voyage  of  life.  Splendid  abilities 
deprived  of  its  guidance,  are  destined  to  be  but  a  splendid 
wreck.  It  is  an  indispensable  element  in  the  character 
of  the  good  man.  To  be  virtuous  in  the  midst  of  wicked- 
ness, is  to  be  singular.  He  who  follows  the  multitude  in 
this  world  must  do  evil.  The  man  who  passes  through 
the  wide  gate,  and  down  the  broad  way,  goes  to  destruc- 
tion. What  would  Daniel  have  been  without  firmness? 
One  of  the  precepts  of  the  Gospel  is,  "  Be  ye  steadfast, 
immovable."  The  rock  in  the  midst  of  the  sea,  which, 
in  the  stormiest  as  well  as  the  calmest  hour,  lifts  its  ven- 
erable head  above  the  billows,  is  the  best  emblem  of  the 
Christian. 

Firmness  is  not  eccentricity.  The  former  is  founded 
in  regard  for  one's  own  opinions ;  the  latter  in  contempt 
for  those  of  others.  Firmness  is  singular  in  matters  of 
importance;  eccentricity  is  singular  at  all  times.  Who 
had  more  firmness  than  Paul;  and  yet  who,  in  trivial 
matters,  was  more  accommodating  ?  Though  he  every- 
where held  up  the  cross,  yet,  on  Mars'  hill,  he  paid 
respect  to  philosophy ;  and,  in  Jerusalem,  he  honored 
Moses.  In  condescension  to  the  Greek,  he  refrained  from 
meat,  and,  to  please  the  Jew,  he  circumcised  Timothy. 
Steadily  keeping  salvation  in  view,  he  was  "all  things  to 
all  men." 

Firmness   is   not  obstinacy.     The  former  rests   upon 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.    IX  347 

reason,  the  latter  upon  will.  The  former  implies  intelli- 
gence, the  other  stupidity.  The  one  is  a  high  excellency, 
the  other  a  great  defect.  The  one  is  illustrated  in  Luther 
standing  before  the  Diet  of  Worms,  the  other  in  the  mule 
standing  under  the  lash  of  his  master. 

Be  careful  in  relation  to  your  com'pany.  Some  of  you 
may  be  about  to  leave  the  circle  of  your  family,  and  the 
companions  and  guardians  of  your  youth;  but,  as  man 
was  formed  for  society,  you  will  soon  find  other  associates. 
Beware:  extend  your  confidence  slowly;  and,  while  you 
treat  all  with  respect,  be  careful  how  you  admit  any  to 
the  endearing  relation  of  friend.  If  you  look  over  the 
history  of  the  past,  or  the  scenes  of  the  present,  you  will 
see  two  classes  of  men  :  the  one  advancing  to  honor  and 
happiness,  the  other  plunging  into  infamy  and  ruin.  And 
what  accounts  for  the  diff"erence  ?  The  respective  char- 
acter of  their  early  companions.  "Be  not  deceived — evil 
communications  corrupt  good  manners."  Avoid  infidel 
associates.  You  have  been  born  of  pious  parents,  and 
reared  under  holy  influences.  The  very  gambols  of  your 
boyhood  have  been  among  the  green  pastures,  and  beside 
the  still  waters  of  the  Shepherd  of  souls.  You  have  seen, 
upon  your  native  mountains,  the  beautiful  feet  of  Him 
"that  bringeth  good  tidings — that  publisheth  peace." 
You  have  heard,  with  infant  ears,  "the  joyful  sound" 
that  makes  the  people  blessed.  You  have  breathed  a 
moral  atmosphere,  purified  with  the  dews  of  the  Gospel. 
You  have  gone  up  to  the  temple  to  worship,  and,  with 
infant  voices,  have  caroled  Jehovah's  praise.  Perhaps, 
reader,  you  are  a  Peter  called  from  his  net  to  be  a  fisher 
of  men ;  and  by  your  side  is  a  David,  invited  from  the 
mountains  of  Bethlehem  to  the  throne  of  Israel ;  and  here 
is  one  on  whom,  while  looking  into  heaven,  the  mantle  of 
an  Elijah  hath  fallen ;  and  there  is  the  son  of  some 
Hannah,  a  child  of  vows  and  tears,  dedicated  to  God  in 


348  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

his  temple,  by  her  whose  trembling  heart  said,  "So  long 
as  he  liveth  he  shall  be  lent  to  the  Lord."  Here  is  that 
Samuel  who,  when  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  precious,  as 
he  lay  by  the  ark  of  God,  said,  "  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy 
servant  heareth." 

But  you  are  about  to  leave  the  paths  of  youth  and  go 
down  into  the  wilderness.  Beware  I  I  am  not  afraid  that 
you  will  seek  companions  in  the  bar-rooms,  and  in  the 
corners  of  the  streets.  You  shudder  at  the  blasphemies 
of  those  cruel  scorners  who  can  hurl  down,  with  malig- 
nant pleasure,  the  poor  souls  whom  they  allure  to  the  dark 
mountains  of  unbelief,  and  look  with  mad  indifference 
upon  the  eternal  ruin  of  the  victims  whom  they  betray  to 
the  hands  of  Satan.  You  will  not  listen,  while  the  Bible, 
and  the  blood  which  speaketh  mercy,  and  the  temple, 
which  lifts  its  vail  from  the  counsels  of  the  eternal  Mind, 
are  reviled.  But  you  should  remember  that  there  is  a 
refined  infidelity.  You  will  meet  with  young  men  of 
engaging  manners,  cultivated  minds,  and  elegant  attain- 
ments, whose  thoughts  and  feelings  are  tinctured  with 
skepticism.  These  men  know  how  to  insnare  you.  Prais- 
ing the  poetry  of  Isaiah,  the  morality  of  the  Gospel,  and 
the  character  of  Jesus,  they  will  treat  your  religion  with 
respect,  and  go  to  the  bouse  of  God  in  your  company. 
But,  at  the  same  time,  they  will  give  you  to  understand 
that  they  see  excellences  in  the  Koran  and  the  Talmud, 
as  well  as  the  Bible;  that  they  venerate  the  son  of  So- 
phroniscus  as  well  as  the  Son  of  Mary,  and  that  they 
have  a  similar  regard  for  the  Arabian  kneeling  at  the 
tomb  of  the  prophet,  or  the  Brahmin  prostrate  at  the  feet 
of  his  idol,  that  they  entertain  for  you  at  the  supper  of 
the  Lord.  Descanting  upon  the  prejudices  of  early  edu- 
cation, and  the  power  of  custom,  and  sneering  at  enthusi- 
asm and  superstition  in  all  their  forms,  they  will  ingen- 
iously turn  the  contempt  they  arouse  against  these,  her 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  349 

accidental  concomitants,  upon  the  holy  religion  •which 
they  deform.  While  they  raise  a  cloud  before  your  eyes, 
which  hides  God  from  your  view,  they  will  steal  into  your 
doubting  heart,  robbing  it  of  all  faith  in  God's  word,  all 
hope  in  his  mercy,  all  traces  of  his  love;  and  leaving  you 
in  a  world  of  wickedness  and  misery,  without  any  support 
for  your  virtue,  any  consolation  for  your  woe,  or  any  hope 
in  a  better  world  !  Alas !  what  may  we  expect  will  be 
your  career?  and  in  what  manner  will  it  close?  Who 
shall  help  you  on  your  dying  pillow,  when  the  terrors  of 
the  grave  rise,  and  the  curtains  of  despair  fall,  and  the 
furies  of  remorse  wake  up,  and  hell  opens  its  mouth  for 
the  lost  soul  ?  0,  Jesus,  may  we  never  leave  thy  cross  ! 
Shun  the  most  splendid  society  if  it  be  of  infidel  tend- 
ency. No  accomplishment  so  elegant,  no  learning  so 
profound,  no  honor  so  resplendent,  as  to  compensate  the 
child  of  God  for  the  least  seed  of  doubt  that  skepticism 
can  plant  in  his  heart. 

Avoid  the  company  of  the  gay  or  dissolute.  Far  be  it 
from  me  to  recommend  austerity  or  gloom.  There  is 
nothing  in  my  philosophy  or  my  feelings  which  would  rob 
youth  of  one  of  its  rational  pleasures.  There  is  useful 
mirth  as  well  as  salutary  woe.  And  it  becomes  us  all  to 
sit  down  to  life's  feast  with  pleasure,  and  rise  from  it 
with  gratitude.  But  let  your  pleasures  be  rational,  not 
sensual — the  pleasures  of  man,  not  those  of  the  brute.  Let 
the  feast  be  the  feast  of  reason,  and  the  wine  the  flow  of 
soul.  Immortal  mind  should  need  no  material  stimulant. 
As  iron  sharpeneth  iron,  so  the  face  of  man  his  friend. 

While  mind  struggles  with  mind,  and  heart  bounds  to 
heart — while  thought  leaps  out  to  thought,  and  joy  dances 
to  joy — while  mutual  sympathy  hightens  mutual  rapture — 
there  are  bights  and  depths  of  pleasure  never  known 
to  the  cockpit,  the  race-course,  or  the  ball-room. 

Although  the  habits  of  the  age  are  temperate,  yet  there 


B50  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS, 

are  a  thousand  avenues  to  the  drunkard's  grave.  On  the 
steamboat  and  on  the  street,  in  the  city  and  in  the  field, 
there  are  those  who  "  lie  in  wait  to  destroy."  Hundreds 
are  ready  to  lead  you  to  the  card-table,  and  from  the  card- 
table  to  the  wine-cup,  and  thence  to  the  scenes  of  alluring 
vice,  where  pleasure  decks  her  bowers,  and  spreads  her 
bed  of  poppies,  and,  in  the  words  of  the  poet,  "weaves 
the  winding-sheet  of  souls,  and  lays  them  in  the  urn  of 
everlasting  death." 

Be  careful  of  your  mind.  Inform  it.  There  is  as 
clear  evidence  that  the  mind  was  made  to  learn  as  that 
the  feet  were  made  to  walk.  All  nature  is  hung  with 
leaves  of  instruction,  and  a  flood  of  light  spreads  over 
them  to  make  their  lessons  luminous.  The  Bible  is  a 
book  from  heaven,  ample  in  its  evidence,  sublime  in  its 
revelations,  clear  and  copious  in  its  instructions,  pure  in 
its  precepts,  rich  and  precious  in  its  promises.  Above 
all,  there  is  a  divine  light  which  beams  upon  the  humble 
soul.  These  three  sources  of  knowledge  are  exhaustless 
and  pure.  Commune  much,  then,  with  nature,  with  rev- 
elation, and  with  God.  Beware  of  other  sources  of  knowl- 
edge. We  fear  both  men  and  books.  Granted,  that  holy 
men"* are  good  counselors,  religious  books  helps  to  wis- 
dom. Try  both  by  the  divine  oracles.  If  they  speak 
not  according  to  this,  there  is  no  light  in  them.  Books 
of  history,  of  geography,  and  of  true  science,  are  but 
transcripts  of  Providence  and  nature.  Of  these  we  need 
not  be  fearful ;  but  works  of  human  genius  are  to  be  sus- 
pected. The  memory  is  an  immortal  canvas,  and  the 
forms  traced  upon  it  will  probably  be  enduring  as  God. 
Beware  whose  brush  you  suffer  to  approach  it.  Thought 
may  be  buried,  but  the  hour  cometh  when  it  shall  have  a 
resurrection,  and  be  hung  up  in  eternal  light  to  the  gaze 
of  men  and  angels.  Moreover,  there  is  a  Mind  so  pure 
that  the  heavens  are  not  clean  in  his  sight — so  transcend- 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.    .  351 

ent  that  lie  charges  his  angels  with  folly;  and  that  mind 
searcheth  hourly  the  heart.  Let  us  beware  whose  ink- 
horn  we  let  down  into  the  bosom. 

Though  an  impure  thought  may  give  a  moment's 
amusement,  it  may  afterward  cost  unspeakable  anguish. 
Who  shall  tell  the  torment  of  that  spirit,  when,  in  the 
hour  of  its  painful  trial,  the  infidel  doubt  which  it  re- 
ceived in  the  days  of  its  wickedness,  rises  like  a  lost  spirit 
from  the  pit,  to  haunt  it  through  the  darkness?  Novelist, 
there  cometh  an  hour  when  death  shall  seize.  Then 
every  stanza  of  Zion,  and  every  verse  of  the  Bible,  will 
be  an  angel  to  thy  soul.  But,  alas !  the  impure  thoughts 
of  Shakspeare,  and  Byron,  and  Butler,  may  be  commis- 
sioned, like  horrid  specters,  to  drive  you  away  from 
hopes  of  mercy,  and  promises  of  God,  into  the  very  ter- 
rors of  hell.  In  that  sad  moment  of  despair,  what  would 
you  give  for  a  rod  to  drive  away  the  ghosts  of  impurity 
and  sin  that  hover  round  thy  dying  pillow? 

Consider.  Let  all  you  learn  be  subjected  to  examin- 
ation, fair  and  full.  Read,  then  meditate,  understand, 
appropriate.  Keep  a  sentinel  at  the  door  of  the  mind, 
charged  to  admit  no  stranger  who  does  not  give  the  coun- 
tersign. When  any  important  fact  conies  into  your 
presence,  survey  it  carefully:  inquire  into  its  nature,  its 
origin,  its  uses,  and  how  to  make  it  bear  upon  your  ob- 
ject. He  who  perpetually  reads,  but  never  inquires,  is 
like  a  stranger  in  the  midst  of  a  mob — he  knows  not 
friend  from  foe,  nor  which  way  to  flee  to  escape  danger. 

In  the  economy  of  Grod,  high  achievement  issues  only 
from  commanding  mind;  commanding  intellect  can  only 
be  brought  forth  by  painful  mental  travail.  Control  the 
mind.  Magnificent  are  its  powers  immortal;  glorious 
the  improvement,  or  terrible  the  havoc,  which  they  must 
make  in  the  universe ;  high  and  luminous  the  elevation, 
or  dark  and  profound  the  abyss  which  must  follow    its 


852  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

labors,  according  as  they  are  well  or  ill-regulated.  You 
can  do  much  to  acquire  command  of  your  powers,  by  long 
and  laborious  exertion.  The  reason  can  be  trained  to 
patient,  powerful,  consecutive  thought — but  not  without 
a  will,  which  to  the  soul  is  as  the  voice  of  God  to  the 
universe.  To  think,  in  this  world  of  sights  and  sounds, 
and  fragrance  and  sweets — of  fancies  and  follies,  cares 
and  duties — is  no  easy  task.  Ulysses,  as  he  passed  the 
rock  of  the  Siren,  stuffed  the  ears  of  his  companions  with 
wax,  and  lashed  his  own  body  to  the  mast.  He  who 
would  escape  the  rocks  of  folly,  as  he  sails  deep  seas  of 
thought,  must  learn  to  shut  the  gates  of  the  senses,  and 
bind  his  intellect  with  strong  cords.  The  imagination 
is  of  incalculable  value,  but  it  needs  to  be  under  stern 
control.  It  is  a  beautiful  world  of  dreams,  in  which  the 
soul  may  advantageously  luxuriate — dancing  through  its 
castles,  communing  with  its  heroes,  imparadising  itself 
in  its  bowers,  and  returning  to  the  real  world  with  the 
motion,  the  beauty,  the  fragrance,  and  the  song  of  an 
angel  fresh  from  the  scenes  of  light.  But  we  must  be 
careful  not  to  tarry  too  long  in  our  visits  to  those  enchant- 
ing regions — not  to  forget  that  we  are  visitors  there,  that 
our  proper  sphere  is  the  world  of  matter — let  us  always 
maintain  a  proper  command  of  the  ivory  gate,  so  that  we 
may  at  once  and  always  have  free  egress  to  the  upper 
air. 

The  passions  are  a  vast  deep;  it  is  good  this  deep 
should  oft  be  moved.  Let  the  east  wind,  and  the  north, 
and  the  south,  and  the  west,  bursting  from  their  caves, 
together  meet  upon  its  waters;  let  the  waves  rise  and  the 
sands  be  thrown  up,  and  the  spray  sprinkle  the  stars,  and 
heaven  and  earth  be  commingled;  but  take  care  that 
there  shall  always  be  a  Neptune  within  the  soul,  to  raise 
his  calm  head  above  the  billows,  and  driving  the  strug- 
gling winds   to  their  strong  prisons,   and    calming  the 


HINTS    TO    YOUTH.  353 

troubled  waters,  make  a  tranquil  surface  on  which  to 
retreat  to  his  ocean  home. 

I  tremble,  reader,  to  think  that  you  are  plunged  into 
the  depths  of  the  universe,  with  an  immortal  soul,  re- 
sponsible to  a  holy  and  infinite  God.  Let  constant 
prayer  ascend,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  never  "leave 
you  alone." 

Finally,  save  your  soul.  What  gain  can  compensate 
for  its  loss  ?  Who,  that  reads  his  own  heart  in  the  light 
of  Grod's  law,  does  not  feel  guilty?  There  is  mercy  and 
there  is  wrath  in  Jehovah — to  which  of  them  shall  the 
sinner  be  consigned?  Jesus  Christ  is  wisdom,  righteous- 
ness, sanctification,  and  redemption.     Up,  dying  sinner, 

to  his  cross ! 

30 


SS4  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


THE  dedication  of  your  college  to  its  purpose,  is  deemed 
an  occasion  worthy  to  be  marked  by  appropriate  cere- 
monies, and  I  am  called  on  to  bear  a  part  in  them.  I  re- 
spond to  the  call  with  no  ordinary  pleasure.  Your  beauti- 
ful and  thriving  village  is  associated  in  my  memory  with 
many  pleasant  recollections;  your  elevated  location,  your 
charming  prospects,  and  your  healthful  breezes,  tave 
often  suggested  to  me  the  idea  of  a  literary  institution. 
Your  commercial  enterprise,  your  political  ambition,  and 
your  perseverance  in  carrying  forward  those  public  im- 
provements by  which,  though  an  inland  town,  you  have 
secured  all  the  advantages  of  two  navigable  streams,  have 
begotten  the  conviction  that  such  an  institution  would  be 
safe  and  prosperous  in  your  hands. 

The  Church  to  which  we  belong  has,  from  the  earliest 
settlement  of  the  place,  found  a  home  and  a  welcome 
among  you,  and  your  streets  have  become  classic  soil 
with  her  members,  being  consecrated  to  the  labors  of 
Christie  and  Bigelow,  whom  you  have  honored  as  apostles. 

The  occasion  suggests  to  me  a  special  personal  obliga- 
tion which  I  owe  to  Mansfield;  for  she  has  given  me 
what  no  other  village  has — a  faithful  wife.  It  is  not  in- 
appropriate, therefore,  that  I  should  contribute  my  mite 
toward  your  entertainment  while  we  consecrate  this 
temple  of  science  to  the  young  ladies  of  Mansfield.  For, 
although  it  is  open  to  all,  and  although  we  may  hope  that 

°  Delivered  at  the  opening  of  Mansfield  Female  College. 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  365 

in  the  lapse  of  time  it  may  educate  the  daughters  of 
other  villages,  other  counties,  other  states,  yet  for  the 
benefit  of  Mansfield  it  must  be  chiefly  employed.  It  will 
require  some  money  to  transport  young  ladies  hither,  and 
provide  for  them  comfortably,  to  nurse  them  in  sickness, 
and  convey  them  home  as  occasion  may  require;  so  that, 
practically,  these  halls  will  be  accessible  to  such  distant 
patrons  only  as  are  somewhat  favored  by  fortune.  It  is 
accessible  to  all  your  own  daughters.  The  poorest  man 
must  feed  and  clothe  his  child,  and  it  requires  no  more  to 
do  this  while  she  is  attending  the  college  than  while  she 
is  playing  the  tambourine  in  the  streets.  There  is 
nothing  between  that  daughter's  footsteps  and  the 
highest  forms  of  the  college  but  the  tuition  fee,  and  if 
the  institution  sell  cheap  scholarships,  that  fee  will  be 
less  even  than  the  tuition  of  the  district  school.  Your 
College,  therefore,  must  raise  the  intellectual  character 
of  your  female  youth ;  and,  as  the  young  gentlemen,  by  a 
sort  of  capillary  attraction,  will  generally  ascend  as  high 
as  the  young  ladies,  it  must  raise  the  whole  platform  of 
your  society.  This  elevation  will  soon  display  itself  in 
your  buildings,  your  gardens,  your  employments,  and  your 
amusements.  But  the  intellect  and  the  taste  are  not  all 
that  will  be  cultivated  here  :  the  morals  will  receive  due 
attention,  and  the  religious  emotions  will  be  awakened 
and  sustained.  In  this  consideration  all  good  men  will 
especially  rejoice;  for  better — infinitely  better — that  our 
daughters  be  ignorant  drudges,  dying  piecemeal  over 
the  wash-tub,  than  Cleopatras,  dazzling  the  palace  with 
their  beauty  and  wit,  and  cursing  its  Anthonys  by  their 
wickedness.  And  yet  there  may  be  men,  and  women  too, 
in  this  community,  who  look  with  jealousy  upon  this  insti- 
tution because  it  is  religious.  Some  of  them  may  dislike 
it  because  of  their  infidelity;  others  because  of  their  big- 
otry.    Let  both  consider  that  some  religion  is  indispens- 


356  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

able  to  the  institution;  for  without  it,  youth  can  neither 
be  educated  nor  governed.  An  atheist  can  not  be  per- 
suaded to  send  his  daughters  to  an  atheistic,  or  even  infi- 
del school;  indeed,  irreligious  men  are  very  careful  how 
they  speak  on  religious  subjects  to  their  own  daughters. 
Whatever  they  may  say  to  the  daughters  of  others,  few 
among  them  would  not  say  to  a  beloved  child,  struggling 
in  death,  what  that  infidel.  Colonel  Allen,  of  Revolutionary 
memory,  said  to  his  daughter  under  such  circumstances, 
when  she  asked  him  the  question,  "  Father,  shall  I 
adopt  your  faith,  or  the  faith  of  my  mother  ?"  "  The  faith 
of  your  mother,  my  child."  Seminaries  of  learning  with- 
out religion,  have  been  tried  under  the  most  favorable 
auspices,  and  have  proved  failures.  If  you  have  religious 
instruction,  you  must  have  religious  teachers.  Indeed, 
it  would  be  next  to  impossible  to  find  persons  not  under 
the  influence  of  strong  religious  principle,  who  possess 
the  requisite  talents,  knowledge,  and  experience,  and 
have  the  willingness  to  serve  in  professors'  chairs  for  the 
poor  remuneration  which  colleges  can  afford.  These  per- 
sons must  belong  either  to  the  same  denomination  or  dif- 
ferent ones.  If  to  different,  one  of  two  results  will  be 
likely  to  follow — either  no  strong  moral  or  religious  im- 
pressions will  be  made  on  the  minds  of  the  pupils,  or 
there  will  sooner  or  later  be  either  a  change  in  the  pol- 
icy, or  a  rent  at  the  foundation  of  the  institution;  for, 
let  any  teacher  be  active  and  earnest  in  seeking  the  spir- 
itual welfare  of  his  students,  and  he  will  naturally  draw 
them  with  him  to  his  own  Church.  He  will  thus  awaken 
among  his  associates  of  different  faith  the  suspicion  of 
proselytism;  then  will  come  rumors,  evil  surmisings,  back- 
bitings,  whisperings,  swellings,  tumults,  perverse  disput- 
ings  of  men  of  corrupt  minds — finally,  explosions,  dissolu- 
tion. The  Church  will  share  in  the  strife,  and  share,  too, 
in  the  injury.    This  ought  not  so  to  be;  but  human  nature, 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.;!  357 

though  sanctified,  is  still  human  nature.  But,  you  say, 
take  for  instructors  men  of  strong  sense,  deep  piety,  and 
catholic  spirit.  Very  well  j  perhaps  if  such  stood  alone, 
they  might  give  definite  religious  knowledge  to  their 
pupils  without  suspecting  or  checking  each  other;  but 
they  can  not  stand  alone — they  must  feel  more  or  less  the 
influence  of  their  respective  Churches,  for  they  are  ex- 
pected to  represent  them,  and  would  be  considered  treach- 
erous if  they  did  not.  One  cries,  "All  of  the  Bible  that 
we  need  inculcate  in  the  school,  is  moral  precepts  and 
cardinal  doctrines,  and  in  these  all  are  agreed.  Let,  then, 
professors  stand  upon  this  broad  platform,  and  there  will 
be  no  difficulty."  But  we  must  observe  that  it  is  not 
possible  to  disconnect  the  essential  from  the  incidental, 
nor  to  dissociate  the  instruction  from  the  instructor. 

*'I  could  put  up,"  cries  one,  "with  a  religious  college, 
but  not  a  sectarian  one."  Sectarianism  I  abhor  as  much 
as  any  man ;  it  is  a  brainless,  heartless  monster,  begotten 
of  ignorance  and  pride.  I  wish  it  were  dead.  There  is  no 
ground  for  it  in  the  Scriptures.  It  is  at  war  with  both 
"the  law  and  the  Gospel.  If  I  were  to  preach  against  it, 
I  would  make  the  whole  New  Testament  my  text.  It  can 
not  live  in  the  presence  of  Jesus,  whose  spirit  and  con- 
duct, whose  parables  and  prayers,  whose  law  of  love  and 
death  of  agony,  all  speak,  through  and  through,  of  uni- 
versal and  impartial  benevolence.  But  we  must  distin- 
guish between  a  sectarian  and  a  merely  denominational 
institution.  The  one  is  set  up  merely  to  promote  the 
interest  of  the  sc-t,  and  it  shuts  out  all  who  are  not  of 
that  sect,  or  will  not  submit  to  the  machinery  judged 
necessary  to  make  them  so.  The  other  is  set  up  for  the 
benefit  of  all  who  choose  to  avail  themselves  of  it,  and 
without  requiring  a  conformity  to  any  thing  more  than 
reasonable  regulations  for  their  education  and  govern- 
ment.    It  is  instituted  by  a  particular  denomination  as 


EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

a  matter  of  convenience.  It  demonstrates  her  willing- 
ness to  do  her  share  in  the  great  work  of  Christian  edu- 
cation, and  provokes  sister  Churches  to  do  likewise.  In 
this  way,  the  energies  of  the  whole  Church  can  be  best 
brought  out  and  applied,  and  her  children  can  be  com- 
mitted to  their  educators  with  the  greatest  confidence. 
The  fact  that  a  seminary  is  under  the  sanction  and  con- 
trol of  a  certain  respectable  ecclesiastical  body,  gives  the 
assurance  that  it  will  be  well  managed  and  sustained,  and 
thus  attracts  to  it  a  patronage,  and  secures  to  it  a  perma- 
nence which  no  college  controlled  by  a  merely  local  corpora- 
tion, however  excellent,  could  command. 

Instead  of  promoting  sectarianism,  it  diminishes  it,  by 
securing  unanimity,  and  harmony,  and  mutual  confidence 
alike  in  the  board  of  trustees  and  the  board  of  instruct- 
ors. It  precludes  those  theological  discussions  by  which 
sectarianism  is  developed  and  made  strong.  It  also  dis- 
courages proselytism.  This  College  needs  the  patronage 
of  all  denominations.  It  will  seek  the  good-will  of  all ; 
it  will  not,  therefore,  strive  to  awaken  in  the  minds  of  the 
children  that  may  be  confided  to  its  care,  any  prejudice 
against  the  religion  of  their  parents.  Its  own  interest 
will  put  it  under  bonds  not  to  do  so.  Even  when  it 
becomes  independent,  it  will  still  have  a  motive  to  catho- 
licity ;  for,  unless  it  possess  a  catholic  spirit,  its  useful- 
ness must  be  limited  within  the  narrow  bounds  of  the 
Church  to  which  it  belongs.  Indeed,  our  schools  and 
colleges  are  the  great  centers  of  catholic  feeling.  The 
more  our  acquaintance  extends  the  less  our  prejudices 
become;  in  proportion  as  our  minds  are  enlightened,  our 
hearts  enlarged,  and  our  obligations  to  others  increased, 
we  learn  to  respect  their  opinions.  How  would  an  enraged 
polemic  feel  as  he  arose  to  ply  his  artillery  of  wit,  and 
satire,  and  raillery  against  the  Church  of  his  antagonist, 
if  an  aged  instructor  who  belonged  to  that  Church  should 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  369 

come  in  and  remind  him  that  he  owes  his  very  capacity 
to  point  with  skill  and  grace  his  enginery  of  indignation 
and  ridicule  to  the  beneficence  of  that  very  Church 
against  which  he  directs  it,  and  his  introduction  within 
his  own  to  the  prayers  and  admonitions  of  one  of  the 
faithful  watchmen  whose  walls  he  would  fain  demolish ! 
Moreover,  more  can  be  done  with  the  same  means  when 
Churches  operate  separately,  than  when  they  combine. 
Compare  those  managed  by  the  state  with  those  controlled 
by  the  Church — Harvard  with  Yale,  Oxford  with  Oberlin, 
etc.  As  to  the  moral  influence,  it  is  incomparably 
greater  under  the  latter  than  under  the  former  regimen. 
I  can  name  a  state  institution  in  the  west  that  had  in  its 
faculty,  among  others,  a  Presbyterian,  a  Methodist,  and 
an  infidel.  At  every  opportunity  the  infidel  adroitly  man- 
aged to  get  the  Calvinist  and  the  Arminian  engaged  on 
the  question  of  predestination,  and  then  he  sat  still,  in 
raptures,  bestirring  himself  only  to  goad  on  the  antag- 
onists whenever  the  battle  relaxed.  What  was  going  on 
from  week  to  week  among  the  students,  may  well  be  con- 
jectured. 

And  this  reminds  me  of  a  class  who  may  object  to  this 
College  because  it  is  not  religious  enough.  They  are 
accustomed  to  stigmatize  the  college  curriculum  as  a 
pagan  one.  True,  we  shall  find  among  the  text-books 
works  of  pagan  authors — they  are  the  elect,  however, 
chosen  with  reference  to  their  moral  sentiments  no  less 
than  their  intellectual  treasures  and  linguistic  purity, 
such  as  Cicero,  Xenophon,  Virgil,  Homer,  Herodotus, 
Horace,  Tacitus,  ^sculus,  Euripides,  and  Plato;  and  such 
portions  only  of  these  are  taken  as  are  least  exceptionable 
to  a  Christian  mind,  such  as  orations,  histories,  and 
poems — bearing  upon  common  topics,  providential  deal- 
ings, natural  objects,  etc. — and  only  such  an  amount 
of  these  as  is  necessary  to   give   a   correct  knowledge 


EDUCATIONAL     ESSAYS. 

of  those  languages  in  which  the  Gospel  was  written,  and 
the  commentaries  of  the  early  Christian  fathers  cast. 
Moreover,  most  of  our  text-books  have  all  necessary  expur- 
gations and  caveats.  Next  we  find  the  mathematics,  pure 
and  mixed.  We  can  no  more  set  these  down  as  pagan 
than  as  Christian ;  for,  although  pagans  may  have  taught 
them,  they  taught  them  not  as  pagans,  but  as  rational 
beings.  Christians  teach  them,  too  —  Gralileo,  Kepler, 
Newton,  yea,  more,  God;  for  as  Plato  well  said,  God 
geometrizes — by  mathematics  he  sets  the  tabernacle  for 
the  sun,  and  stretches  his  line  above  the  heavens.  This, 
perhaps,  you  think  does  not  bear  directly  upon  devotional 
feeling,  but  it  does  upon  both  Christian  character  and 
Christian  usefulness,  by  preparing  the  mind  to  adore  and 
serve  the  Creator.  And  here  let  it  be  observed,  that 
the  great  object  of  education  is  not  to  impart  knowledge, 
but  to  develop,  train,  strengthen  mind.  Though  we  may 
never  engage  in  civil  or  militaryengineering,  we  may  find  it 
well  to  trace  the  works  of  the  Almighty;  and,  moreover, 
we  shall  never  find  amiss,  either  in  the  Church  militant 
or  triumphant,  those  habits  of  close  attention,  of  philo- 
sophical association,  of  long  and  patient  intellectual  labor, 
which  mathematical  studies  cultivate.  Next  come  the 
natural  sciences.  Are  these  pagan  ?  Are  they  not  Chris- 
tian too?  studies  in  the  divine  museum;  meditations  in 
God's  great  gallery  of  arts;  symphonies  in  his  living  temple! 
But  look  again  at  the  scheme  of  studies :  you  find  the 
laws  of  reasoning — logic — the  laws  of  style — rhetoric — 
the  history  of  the  world,  the  geography  of  the  earth,  the 
philosophy  of  the  human  mind,  the  map  of  human  opin- 
ions, the  literature  of  all  ages,  the  evidences  of  the  Chris- 
tian faith,  the  science  of  morals,  the  analogy  of  religion — 
above  all,  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  the  epistles  of  his 
apostles  in  the  original  tongues,  which  run  all  through 
the  course. 


FEMALE    BPUOATION.t  361 

If  among  the  text-books  I  find  such  commanding 
works  as  Paley's  Theology,  Wayland's  Moral  Science, 
Gleig's  History  of  the  Bible,  Paley's  Evidences,  Philosophy 
of  Salvation,  and  Instar  Omnium — Butler's  Analogy,  and 
if  I  learn  that  they  are  thoroughly  taught,  while  the  New 
Testament  is  reverentially  and  critically  and  prayerfully 
studied,  and  the  whole  Bible,  from  morning  to  morning, 
read  in  course,  with  a  running  commentary,  and  enforced  by 
argument  and  exhortation  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  and 
by  a  pure  example  from  day  to  day  upon  the  pupils,  and 
that  the  whole  apparatus  of  instruction  reposes  upon  pil- 
lars of  prayer,  I  can  not  see  how  such  pupils  can  be  oth- 
erwise than  Christians,  theoretically  and  practically,  and 
retain  their  own  self-respect. 

Do  not  suppose  that  I  think  man  can  be  educated  into 
Christianity  without  the  grace  of  God — but  that  persons 
thus  educated  will  be  likely  to  seek  the  grace  of  God — 
that  seeking  they  will  find  it,  and  finding  it  they  will 
become  enlightened,  settled,  active,  discreet  Christians. 
God  has  signally  owned  such  instruction  by  granting 
numerous  and  extensive  revivals  of  religion  in  colleges, 
and  particularly  in  these  latter  days,  and  also  by  selecting 
the  fruits  of  these  revivals,  both  to  spread  the  savor  of 
his  name  in  distant  nations,  and  to  occupy  the  chief 
places  of  influence  in  the  Church  at  home. 

But  this  is  a  female  college :  there  are  men  among  us 
who,  although  they  can  see  the  propriety  of  colleges  for 
young  men,  see  no  necessity  for  such  institutions  for  the 
other  sex.  "What,"  say  they,  "do  ladies  want  of 
Latin  ?  they  are  not  to  be  lawyers  or  doctors.  What  do 
they  want  of  Greek  ?  they  do  not  preach.  What  do  they 
want  of  mathematics  ?  they  are  not  going  to  survey 
lands  or  command  steamships.  Such  persons  should  be 
reminded  that  women  have  minds ;  that  miads  should  be 
educated ;  that  mathematics  and  languages  are  not  the 

31 


8^  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

ends  but  the  means  of  education — the  instruments  for 
training  the  intellect  to  strong  thought,  and  the  tongue 
to  clear,  and  copious,  and  graceful  utterance.  We  hear 
much  of  woman's  rights.  I  plead  for  them  to-day.  I 
claim  that  in  the  college  they  shall  be  equal  to  those  of 
men,  because  her  capacities  are  equal.  Physically  she 
is  inferior.  There  are  structural  differences  which  mark 
the  predestined  superiority  of  man  in  mere  bodily 
strength;  he  has  a  broader  chest,  a  more  powerful  pair 
of  lungs,  a  larger,  firmer,  muscular  system.  It  is  not 
mere  fashion  which  gives  the  severer  duty  to  the  right 
arm ;  it  is  better  supplied  with  blood  than  the  left ;  so 
it  is  not  mere  accident  that,  as  a  general  rule,  both  in 
savage  and  civilized  life,  assigns  the  ruder  and  more 
laborious  duties  to  man.  It  is  an  ordinance  of  nature 
that  man,  not  woman,  shall  wield  the  ax,  scale  the  hights, 
and  measure  the  depths,  sail  the  seas,  and  lay  new 
foundations.  But  is  woman  intellectually  equal  to  man? 
Women  have  ranked  side  by  side  with  men  of  proudest 
name.  Sappho,  "violet-crowned,  pure,  sweetly-smiling 
Sappho,"  for  grace  and  elegance,  for  genius  and  culti- 
vation, had  no  superior  in  her  age;  she  was  regarded  by 
her  countrymen  as  a  supernal  being,  and  dignified  with 
the  title  of  the  "tenth  muse."  Even  Solon,  on  hearing 
one  of  her  poems,  said  that  he  could  not  die  till  he  had 
learned  it  by  heart.  Corinna,  of  Thebes,  in  five  suc- 
cessive contests  bore  the  palm  from  Pindar.  But  time 
would  fail  to  tell  of  the  Marys,  and  Catharines,  and 
Elizabeths,  and  Lady  Greys,  and  Lady  Lumleys,  and 
countesses,  and  duchesses,  and  madames,  and  misses  who 
wrote  Latin  and  Greek,  and  spoke  Italian,  and  French, 
and  Spanish,  and  rivaled  poets,  and  excelled  statesmen, 
and  uttered  oracles,  and  mastered  mathematics,  and 
studied  theology,  and  received  doctorates,  and  subdued 
kingdoms,  and  swayed  scepters,   and  alarmed  warriors. 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  363 

and  routed  armies.  Such  cases,  unless  they  are  excep- 
tions to  a  general  rule,  show  that  woman  is  intellectually 
the  peer  of  man.  They  are  indeed  striking  instances; 
but  let  the  advantages  enjoyed  by  Elizabeth  Carter  or 
Madame  Dacier  be  possessed  by  all,  and  examples  of 
female  greatness  equally  illustrious  would  become  fre- 
quent. Still  it  may  be  said  that  the  world  has  produced 
no  woman  to  stand  up  side  by  side  with  Bacon  or  Newton 
in  philosophy;  with  Aristotle  or  Locke  in  logic;  with 
Homer,  or  Shakspeare,  or  Milton  in  poetry;  with  Han- 
nibal, or  Caesar,  or  Napoleon  in  arms.  To  this  it  may  be 
replied,  woman  has  had  a  poor  opportunity  thus  to  dis- 
tinguish herself.  But  how  came  she  to  have  so  poor 
a  chance,  if  she  be  the  equal  of  man?  why  not,  in  the 
course  of  ages,  assert  and  prove  her  equality,  and  make 
her  lord  her  equal  at  least,  if  not  her  subject?  We 
answer,  though  woman's  intellect  is  equal  to  man's  in 
power,  it  is  different  in  kind — in  memory,  perception, 
imagination,  woman  is  not  inferior  to  man;  in  abstraction 
and  ratiocination  perhaps  she  is.  Though  she  surpasses 
man  in  some  mental  efforts,  she  can  not  match  him  in 
mere  analytical  power  or  sublime  conception.  Her  best 
productions,  like  Cleopatra's  needle,  are  of  fine  material, 
graceful  form,  beautiful  proportions,  and  full  of  meaning. 
Man's  noblest  works  are  like  the  pyramids  of  Egypt, 
amazing  by  their  breadth  and  solidity. 

However  this  may  be,  she  is  certainly  superior  to  man 
in  sensibility;  her  emotions  are  more  intense,  and  her 
affections  more  lively  and  persistent.  Only  a  woman, 
when  her  sons  were  slain,  could  have  kept  her  bed  of 
sackcloth  on  the  rocks  from  the  beginning  of  harvest 
till  water  dropped  upon  the  corpses  out  of  heaven,  that 
she  might  prevent  the  birds  of  the  air  from  resting  on 
them  by  day  and  beasts  of  the  field  by  night.  None  but 
a  mother  could  day  by  day  carry  her  dead  child  through 


od4  educational  essays. 

the  frozen  woods,  and  night  after  night  suspend  his 
cradle  of  bark  upon  the  branches  beneath  which  she 
slept,  and  no  where  fix  upon  a  spot  in  which  to  bury 
him. 

"Woman  is  superior  to  man  in  taste;  her  songs  are 
more  sweet  and  tender;  her  epistles  more  bright  and 
sparkling;  her  delineations  of  character  more  accurate, 
and  her  descriptions  of  nature  more  perfect.  Her  mind, 
like  an  unruffled  sea,  reflects  the  forms  and  hues  of  all 
things  around  and  above  it. 

Chiefly  does  her  moral  sensibility  evince  superior  deli- 
cacy; her  views  of  right  are  generally  more  vivid  and 
her  moral  impulses  more  powerful.  Pity,  gentleness, 
and  compassion  are  among  her  marked  characteristics. 
The  stranger  who  is  driven  from  the  abode  of  the  savage 
by  man,  may  hope  to  find  mercy  from  woman.  It  is 
woman  that,  in  her  pity,  can  administer  relief  to  the 
bleeding  or  dying  invader  of  her  country  at  the  risk  and 
even  at  the  cost  of  life — and  who,  at  the  couch  of  suffer- 
ing or  of  death,  like  unto  a  wife,  a  sister,  or  a  mother? 

These  diff"erences  between  the  sexes  are  wisely  ordered." 
As  Tennyson  prettily  expresses  it, 

"  For  woman  is  not  undeyelopM  man, 
But  diverse :  could  we  make  her  as  the  man, 
Sweet  love  were  slain,  whose  dearest  bond  is  this — 
Not  like  to  like,  but  like  in  diflference : 
Yet  in  the  long  j-ears  liker  must  they  grow — 
The  man  be  more  of  woman,  she  of  man ; 
He  gain  in  sweetness  and  in  moral  hight, 
Nor  loose  the  wrestling  thews  that  throw  the  world ; 
She  mental  breadth,  nor  fail  in  childward  care : 
More  as  the  double-natured  poet,  each ; 
Till  at  the  last  she  set  herself  to  man 
Like  perfect  music  unto  noble  words ; 
And  so  these  twain,  upon  the  skirts  of  time, 
Sit  side  by  side,  full  summed  in  all  their  powers, 
Dispensing  harvest,  sowing  the  To  be, 
Still  reverent  and  reverencing  each. 


i 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  365 

-Kstinct  in  individualities, 
But  like  each  other,  ev'n  as  those  who  love  : 
Then  comes  the  statelier  Edeu  back  to  men ; 
Then  reign  the  world's  great  bridals,  chaste  and  calm ; 
Then  springs  the  cro\vning  race  of  human  kind." 

But  shall  we  say  that  woman  is  the  inferior?  It  is 
fabled  that  among  the  heavenly  hierarchy  the  seraphim — 
angels  of  love — rank  higher  than  the  cherubim — angels 
of  light.  Surely  woman  is  worthy  of  an  education  as 
good,  both  in  kind  and  degree,  as  man's.  This  may  be 
proved  as  well  from  her  functions  as  her  nature. 

She  is  the  companion  of  man.  Man,  oppressed  by 
cares,  perplexed  by  responsibilities,  fatigued  with  busi- 
ness, needs  at  the  evening  fireside  the  relief  of  agreeable 
conversation ;  thej-e  is  no  opiate  so  soothing,  no  tonic  so 
invigorating.  But  this  relief  he  can  not  find  unless  his 
wife  be  as  intelligent  as  himself;  she  must  be  able  to 
understand  his  words  and  allusions,  to  be  interested  with 
his  studies,  to  be  pleased  with  his  amusements,  to  appre- 
ciate his  reflections,  and  respond  to  his  appeals ;  to  ex- 
change with  him  thoughts,  sentiments,  images,  joys. 
If  there  be  an  intellectual  chasm  between  them,  woe  to 
both !  they  may  understand  each  other's  obligations  and 
struggle  to  fulfill  them;  but  all  in  vain;  the  wife  will 
prefer  the  companionship  of  menials  to  that  of  her  hus- 
band, and  will  generally  make  an  excuse  to  be  in  the 
kitchen  or  the  nursery  when  he  is  in  the  parlor;  or,  if 
she  endure  his  presence,  will  leave  him  to  his  reflections 
and  relapse  into  her  own — now  and  then  relieving  the  si- 
lence by  a  smile  that  renders  her  vacancy  visible.  Under 
such  circumstances,  what  wonder  if  the  husband,  especially 
if  he  be  not  under  strong  moral  restraint,  should  seek 
company  at  the  cofiee-house,  the  theater,  the  assembly, 
or  the  billiard-saloon ;  and,  instead  of  pursuing  a  safe 
voyage  over  the  ocean  of  life,  should  drown  his  bark  in 


366  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

the  lake  of  intemperance,  and  wreck  his  fortunes  forever  I 
This  is  the  secret  history  of  most  of  the  children  of 
genius.  The  women  are  not  to  blame;  society  is  to 
blame  for  not  educating  them  upon  the  same  platform 
with  men.  Marriage  under  such  circumstances  is  but 
half  marriage — it  is  a  mere  civil  bond;  whereas  it  should 
be  also  a  spiritual  one,  one  that  death  can  hardly  sever, 
that  heaven  may  reunite,  and  that  eternity  may  mature. 
Hard  indeed  is  it,  under  the  most  favorable  auspices,  to 
struggle  up  to  the  high  places  of  the  earth;  doubly  hard, 
scarcely  possible,  when  a  man's  wife  does  not  appreciate  his 
merits,  second  his  eiForts,  and  encourage  his  heart.  You 
may  tell  me  that  there  are  but  few  intellectual  men,  and 
that  such  as  are,  may  educate  their  wives  to  suit  them- 
selves. Alas!  let  no  man  try  the  experiment;  it  is 
possible  for  a  man  to  educate  himself — he  has  command 
of  his  time.  After  his  toil  is  over  he  can  retire  with 
his  book;  if  he  be  a  carpenter,  he  can  read  by  the  light 
of  his  shavings;  if  a  merchant,  by  the  glimmer  of  his 
lamp ;  if  a  poet,  by  the  light  of  the  moon.  The  soldier 
may  study  in  his  barrack;  the  shoemaker,  over  his  lap- 
etone;  the  sailor,  in  his  hammock.  But  when  or  where 
is  poor  woman  to  study?  The  kitchen,  the  laundry,  the 
dining-room,  the  chamber,  the  nursery,  and  the  parlor 
divide  her  time,  and  make  their  indispensable  calls  with 
the  regularity  of  the  sun ;  and  when  these  calls  are  met, 
where  is  the  leisure  hour?  There  is  no  silence  which 
the  cry  of  the  infant  for  the  fountain  of  the  breast  or 
the  cry  of  the  sick-bed  for  the  refreshing  draught  may 
not  disturb;  there  is  no  light  which  tiny  hands  about 
tte  mother's  neck  may  not  dash  out  or  obscure,  no  book 
that  they  may  not  tear.  Talk  not  of  mathematics  or  met- 
aphysics to  her,  it  is  too  late — the  father  may  rush  from 
the  annoyance  of  his  children,  and  almost  forget  the  prat- 
tle and  the  cries  of  the  cradle,  but  the  mother  may  not. 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  867 

Woman  is  often  by  necessity  the  representative  of 
man.  It  is  implied  in  the  contract  of  marriage,  that  if 
either  party  is  incapacitated  to  fulfill  assumed  obligation, 
the  other  is  bound  to  supply,  as  far  as  possible,  the  place 
of  the  failing  partner.  If  the  wife  be  bedridden, 
the  husband  must  see  that  the  household  shall  not 
suffer;  if  the  husband  grow  blind,  or  deaf,  or  de- 
mented, it  is  the  duty  of  the  wife  to  see  that  his  business 
be  not  neglected,  but  that  his  family  shall  receive  sup- 
port ;  or,  if  he  be  laid  in  the  grave,  that  his  estate  shall 
be  well  managed.  If  the  wife  be  well  educated,  she  will 
find  but  little  difficulty  under  such  circumstances;  she 
will  have  lived  with  her  husband  on  such  terms  of  in- 
timacy and  confidence  that  she  will  know  the  arts  of  his 
business,  the  state  of  his  accounts,  the  nature  of  his 
contracts,  and  the  extent  of  his  plans,  and  will  be  able  to 
bring  his  affairs  to  a  successful  termination,  or  prosecute 
his  business  with  energy  and  skill.  How  often  it  happens 
that  a  man  of  great  enterprise  and  wealth  leaves  at  death 
an  estate  which,  when  closed,  proves  bankrupt,  because 
an  incompetent,  uninterested  party  becomes  his  executor ! 
We  say,  as  we  look  on,  if  the  deceased  had  lived  to 
close  up  his  own  business,  he  might  have  been  a  million- 
aire. Few  men  have. the  ability  to  settle  an  extensive 
and  complicated  estate,  fewer  still  have  the  time,  and 
fewer  still  can  feel  the  necessary  interest  in  it.  But  an 
intelligent  wife,  who  for  life  was  the  familiar  friend  of 
the  great  operator,  who  had  comprehended  his  plans, 
breathed  his  spirit,  and  become  conversant  with  his 
agencies,  and  who  feels  that  her  fortune  and  that  of  her 
children  depends  upon  her  success,  would  be  able  to 
close  the  business  to  her  own  aggrandizement  and  the 
advantage  of  community.  I  am  not  among  those  who 
would  place  woman  side  by  side  with  man  in  the  field 
and  the  forest,  the  store  and  the  market.     Nature,  in  the 


368  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

sports  of  even  unguided  children,  points  out  character- 
istic diflferences  of  occupation — the  boy  mounts  his 
charger,  and  shoulders  his  gun,  and  builds  his  little 
city,  and  goes  abroad  to  the  banks  of  the  stream,  and 
comes  home,  perchance,  with  a  bloody  nose;  the  girl 
lays  a  doll  in  her  lap,  and  sings  her  lullaby,  and  spreads 
her  little  table  with  broken  china,  and  soothes  the  angry 
passions,  and  dresses  the  bleeding  wound  of  her  brother. 
As  she  grows  up  nature  assigns  to  her  duties,  and  cares, 
and  modes  of  suffering  which  are  peculiar  and  untransfera- 
ble; and  the  character  of  these  duties  and  afflictions  and 
anxieties  forbids  that  she  should  ordinarily  labor  side  by 
side  with  man  in  the  sterner  duties  and  the  more  exposed 
theaters  of  life.  But  we  would  not  have  her  cripple  her 
lungs  or  lose  the  rose  from  her  cheek ;  rather  would  we 
have  her  develop  all  her  power  of  muscle,  and,  above  all, 
her  power  of  mind,  and  be  ready,  when  Providence  creates 
an  emergency,  to  step  into  her  absent  husband's  footsteps 
even  when  high  energy,  and  power,  and  reasoning  are 
demanded.  Nature  anticipates  such  an  emergency;  for  in 
woman,  weak,  timid,  retiring,  there  seems  t©  be  an  un- 
suspected reserve  of  strength  which  an  exigency  can 
call  forth.  In  hours  of  extremity  she  has  a  more  protean 
spirit,  a  more  plastic  temperament,  a  more  subtile  elo- 
quence, and  a  greater  power  of  adapting  her  operations 
to  any  required  scale  than  man.  She  has,  too,  tem- 
porarily, a  greater  capacity  of  endurance,  both  physical 
and  moral,  an  intenser  passion,  and  in  all  her  energies  a 
more  violent  power  of  reaction.  It  was  a  mother  who 
said  to  her  son,  when  she  handed  him  his  shield,  "Bring 
that  back  or  be  brought  back  upon  it."  It  was  a  mother 
who,  in  the  days  of  the  Maccabees,  exhorted  her  children 
one  by  one  to  martyrdom.  It  was  Joan  of  Arc  who 
rushed  like  a  fury  into  battle,  and  the  Amazons  who 
moved  through  the  foes  with  the  fierceness  and  power  of 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  369 

the  whirlwind.  Put  a  family  in  the  wilderness,  and  let 
the  savages  assail  them ;  the  mother  may  scream  and  per- 
haps faint,  as  the  father  shoulders  his  rifle  to  defend  his 
cabin;  but  let  that  father  be  slain  and  scalped,  and  there 
will  be  another  defender.  She  has  ceased  to  scream,  she 
has  recovered  her  pulse,  she  has  put  off  the  woman,  and 
now  she  seizes  the  nearest  weapon,  and,  standing  before 
her  cradle,  she  battles  with  a  coolness,  a  courage,  and  a 
fierceness,  to  which  man  is  a  stranger. 

Under  all  ordinary  circumstances,  we  are  disgusted  to 
see  woman  exhibit  a  masculine  spirit,  or  usurp  masculine 
duties,  but  when  necessity  demands  them  of  her,  they  sit 
gracefully  upon  her.  Woman  playing  the  jockey  on  a 
race-course  is  unlovely,  but  woman  gracefully  flying  over 
the  plain  on  her  well-reined  charger,  to  catch  the  last 
words  of  a  dying  mother,  or  to  save  an  imperiled  child, 
or  inform  the  frontier  camp  of  the  landing  of  the  foe, 
is  sublime.  A  maiden  in  the  judge's  bench,  making 
speeches  to  a  laughing  crowd,  is  contemptible  j  a  widow 
at  the  bar,  supplying  her  counsel  with  facts  by  which  he 
may  rescue  her  property  from  fraud  and  her  children 
from  poverty,  is  honorable. 

Another  function  of  woman  renders  her  education  nec- 
essary— she  is  the  educator  of  man.  The  school,  the 
academy,  the  college,  and  the  conflicts  of  life  may  do 
much  to  form  the  character  of  a  man,  but  the  mother 
more.  She  lays  her  plastic  hand  upon  him  when  his  fac- 
ulties are  all  impressible.  A  babe  might  make  an  oak 
grow  gnarled  and  twisted  if  he  seized  it  as  it  burst  from 
the  ground,  but  a  giant  could  not,  after  a  few  decades  had 
matured  its  trunk.  Show  me  a  great  man  that  has  not 
hung  upon  the  breast  of  a  sensible  mother.  Show  me  an 
illustrious  mother  whose  son  is  not  worthy  of  her.  It  is 
scarce  possible  for  a  boy  with  ordinary  endowments  to  be 
reared  by  a  sensible  and  educated  woman  without  being 


370  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

great.  She  may  be  driven  by  misfortune  to  the  wilder- 
ness, but  even  in  woods  and  widowhood  she  will  train  up  a 
philosopher.  As  soon  as  her  son  begins  to  walk  the  earth, 
she  will  begin  to  give  him  some  idea  of  its  magnitude, 
its  mountain^  and  streams,  its  continents  and  islands,  its 
lakes  and  oceans,  so  that  the  globe  is  never  presented  to 
his  mind  without  form  and  void,  for  the  spirit  of  his 
mother  moves  upon  the  face  of.the  waters.  As  the  wind 
howls  through  the  trees  at  night,  she  may  calm  his  mind 
by  explaining  to  him  the  nature  of  the  air  he  breathes, 
the  causes  of  its  currents,  the  gases  which  enter  into  its 
composition,  the  sources  of  its  impurities,  its  uses  in  res- 
piration, and  in  keeping,  by  its  pressure,  the  blood  with- 
in the  veins.  So  that,  from  the  first,  the  spirit  of  philos 
ophy  shall  shut  out  the  idol  superstition  from  the  temple 
of  his  brain.  On  some  beautiful  morning  she  may  begin 
to  teach  him  the  laws  of  light ;  she  resumes  them  at 
noon,  when  the  rainbow,  spanning  the  heavens,  illustrates 
her  lesson  of  refraction,  and  closes  them  when  the  setting 
sun  demonstrates  for  her,  in  the  western  sky,  the  laws 
of  reflection ;  so  that  the  evening  and  the  morning  are  a 
day  of  instruction  for  her  boy.  She  takes  him  abroad  at 
night,  and  as  the  moon  comes  forth  with  her  train  of 
stars,  she  goes  out  with  her  son  beneath  her  mantle,  and 
lays  the  rod  of  modern  astronomy  upon  the  azure  vault, 
and  measures  from  planet  to  planet  as  his  expanding 
mind  takes  in  the  demonstration;  and  when  she  has 
given  him  some  idea  of  our  system  and  our  sun,  she 
raises  his  mind  to  the  fixed  stars,  each  the  center  of  a 
system,  and  up  the  milky  way  she  walks,  hand  in  hand 
with  her  child,  to  the  distant  nebulae,  where  the  molding 
hand  of  God  is  shaping  some  new  creation,  and  seizing 
the  harp  of  David,  she  sings  some  such  strain  as  this : 
"Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  presence,  or  whither  shall 
I  flee  from  thy  spirit?"     But  it  is  not  only  in  the  glo- 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  371 

rious  scenes  of  nature  that  she  points  out  truth — even  in 
the  humblest  duties  she  is  a  teacher.  As  she  rakes  the 
embers  from  the  hearth,  she  explains  the  nature  of  fire 
and  the  laws  of  heat.  As  she  fills  her  bucket,  she  ex- 
plains the  principles  of  the  pump,  and  the  laws  both  of 
hydrostatics  and  hydraulics;  as  she  swings  her  kettle  upon 
the  crane,  she  treats  of  the  compound  nature  of  water, 
and  explains  how  the  sun  draws  up  the  mist  and  forms 
the  rain  drops;  how  the  dew  distills  upon  the  grass,  and 
the  snow  flakes  crystallize  as  they  fall.  As  the  neighbor's 
house  is  building,  she  points  out  the  simple  mechanical 
powers,  and  their  combination  in  machines,  and  illus- 
trates how  force  is  increased  and  regulated  by  them. 
Her  son  brings  in,  some  spring  morning,  a  bunch  of  flow- 
ers from  the  woods,  and  his  mother,  to  reward  his  kind- 
ness, analyzes  and  names  them  for  him,  and  shows  how 
all  vegetable  productions  are  arranged  into  classes, 
orders,  and  genera,  so  that  they  constitute  a  great  volume, 
in  which  these  diflFerent  classes  are  beautiful  leaves;  and 
she  thus  entices  him  to  search  again,  sure  that  the 
meanest  mushroom  has  a  lesson  in  it.  He  brings,  on 
some  winter  morning,  a  curious  stone,  and  forthwith  his 
mother  gives  it  a  name,  and  then  determines  its  proper- 
ties, composition,  and  relations  in  a  system  of  mineral- 
ogy, and  a  new  volume  is  opened  beneath  his  feet,  and 
the  very  stones  cry  out  to  him  to  seek  knowledge.  A 
strange  bird  attracts  his  notice,  and  he  bears  it  in  his 
bosom  to  the  bosom  of  his  mother;  she  names  it,  as 
though  it  were  a  familiar  friend,  and  speaks  of  its  family; 
and  now  he  learns  that  the  fowls  of  heaven  too  are  made 
upon  a  plan,  and  they  warble  more  sweetly,  and  shine 
more  beautifully  in  the  branches  to  his  excited  senses  and 
eager  mind.  He  finds  the  skeleton,  it  may  be,  of  a  rab- 
bit; but  it  affords  the  mother  an  opportunity  to  point  out 
ribs,  and  spine,  and  cranium,  and  limbs,  and  from  these 


372  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

she  may  proceed  to  speak  of  the  golden  bowl,  and  the 
silver  cord,  and  the  pitcher  at  the  fountain,  and  the 
wheel  at  the  cistern,  till  he  shall  cry  out,  "I  am  fearfully 
and  wonderfully  made."  As  the  railroad  penetrates  the 
wilderness,  she  explains  to  him  the  expansive  nature  of 
steam,  the  mode  by  which  it  is  regulated,  the  parts  and 
movements  of  the  engine,  whether  stationary  or  locomo- 
tive, and  the  use  to  which  it  is  applied,  both  in  commerce 
and  manufactures.  And  now  the  telegraph  follows,  but 
the  heaven-appointed  teacher  is  at  no  loss  to  explain  its 
mysteries  to  her  loving  pupil;  for  she  has  taught  in  a  lec- 
ture on  the  lightning  what  is  electricity,  and  what  is 
magnetism,  and  electro-magnetism,  and  l»ow  it  may  be 
generated  and  made  the  messenger  of  men.  Perhaps 
her  leisure  moments  are  spent  in  drawing  diagrams,  and 
making  models  to  reward  the  obedience  of  him  whom  she 
has  brought  into  this  life,  to  train  up  for  another,  and 
whose  chamber,  it  may  be,  is  decorated  with  geological 
maps,  and  celestial  charts,  through  which  he  muses,  in 
his  waking  hours,  upon  the  epochs  of  the  past,  and  the 
revolutions  of  the  future.  In  due  time  she  teaches  him 
the  laws  of  that  language  which  he  speaks,  and  analyzes 
that  graceful  style,  and  that  accurate  method  of  reason- 
ing which  he  has  caught  from  her  beautiful  lips;  nor 
does  she  neglect  to  teach  him  the  properties  of  numbers, 
the  relations  of  quantities,  and  the  resolution  of  forces. 
She  leads  him,  as  his  mind  matures,  to  patient  retrospec- 
tion, and  points  out  the  faculties  and  laws  of  that  most 
delicate  and  wonderful  mind  which  allies  him  to  the 
angels,  and  which  should  be  led  into  eternity  in  the 
image  of  Grod.  Her  winter  evenings,  I  fancy,  she  de- 
votes to  history,  till  she  renders  her  pupil  familiar  with 
the  nations  of  the  past,  with  the  progress  of  empires, 
the  progress  of  arts,  the  progress  of  discovery,  and  the 
progress   of  virtue.     As   she    exhibits   before   him   the 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  373 

heroes  and  orators  of  antiquity,  she  awakens,  in  order  to 
gratify,  his  thirst  for  the  languages  in  which  they  spoke, 
and  specially  for  the  languages  of  the  prophets  and  pa- 
triarchs, martyrs  and  apostles.  But  from  first  to  last  she 
dwells  upon  the  Bible,  and  morning  and  evening  she 
takes  her  charge  to  her  closet,  and  breathes  upon  him  her 
prayer,  and  teaches  him  to  lift  his  hands  on  high.  Who 
would  not  have  such  a  mother?  What  son  that  has,  can 
fail  to  grow  up  to  giant  manhood? 

The  mother  not  only  teaches  the  child  when  it  is  most 
impressible,  but  when  the  impressions  made  are  the 
most  indelible.  The  image  of  the  mother  goes  into  the 
very  structure  of  the  soul  of  the  child,  like  that  image 
of  himself  which  Phidias  cut  so  deeply  into  the  buckle 
of  his  Minerva,  that  no  one  could  obliterate  it  without 
breaking  into  fragments  the  statue  itself. 

The  mother  does  more  for  her  son  than  simply  to  im- 
part knowledge.  The  mother  of  Miriam  would  have 
nourished  up  a  Moses,  even  if  her  lips  had  been  sealed  to 
the  Hebrew  law,  by  breathing  upon  him  her  Hebrew 
spirit.  It  is  a  beautiful  fable  of  ancient  mythology,  that 
when  Ceres  left  the  society  of  the  gods,  and  came  down 
among  men,  she  came  to  Elusis  disguised  as  an  aged 
woman,  and  was  employed  by  the  wife  of  Celeus  as  a 
nurse  to  her  infant  son.  Beneath  the  care  of  the  god- 
dess the  child  "throve  like  a  god."  He  ate  no  food,  but 
Ceres  breathed  on  him  as  he  lay  in  her  bosom,  and 
anointed  him  with  ambrosia,  and  every  night  hid  him 
beneath  unknown  fires.  She  was  making  him  immortal. 
So,  methinks,  a  great  mother  is  like  one  from  God.  She 
breathes  on  her  child  celestial  breath,  anoints  hira  with 
heavenly  odors,  and  lays  him  on  the  burning  bed  of  her 
own  great  spirit,  till  he  grows  immortal. 

Woman  is  the  great  reformer  of  men.  Without  her, 
man  soon  roughens  into  a  barbarian,  and  hardens  into  a 


874  EDUCATIONAL     ESSAYS. 

criminal.  I  grant  she  is  herself  capable  of  barbarism 
and  crime  j  and  if  once  she  falls,  she  sinks  deeper  than 
man;  there  is  a  wildness  in  her  sin,  and  a  fearfulness  in 
the  ruin  which  she  works,  that  makes  ordinary  criminals 
stand  aghast.  The  opening  of  her  hand  in  iniquity  is  as 
the  opening  of  Pandora's  box.  And  this  shows  her 
power.  Erom  the  days  of  Eve,  our  worst  evils  have  come 
through  woman's  instrumentality;  so  with  errors  in  sci- 
ence, in  religion,  in  politics.  When  an  empiric  plants 
himself  in  a  village,  upon  whose  credulity  does  he  first 
practice?  Without  securing  the  confidence  of  some  good 
matrons,  his  case  were  hopeless.  It  is  woman  whose 
sympathies  are  first  excited  by  the  cry  of  distress,  whose 
feet  first  find  access  to  the  chamber  of  woe,  whose  serv- 
ices are  first  offered  at  the  couch  of  affliction;  who,  in  her 
kindness,  inquires  into  the  symptoms  of  the  sufferer,  and, 
in  her  ingenuity,  infuses  doubts  concerning  the  treat- 
ment, and  prepares  the  way  for  the  new  mode  of  practice. 
However  intelligent  a  husband  be,  he  can  hardly  bear  up 
against  the  entreaties  of  a  wife  weeping  over  a  sick  child. 
After  reasoning  and  remonstrating,  he  is  likely  to  say,  as 
he  rushes  to  his  business,  "Well,  do  as  you  please." 
Thus  the  charlatan  is  called  to  the  children,  and  he  who 
prescribes  for  them  will,  sooner  or  later,  prescribe  for  the 
parents.  So,  too,  with  errors  in  religion.  When  Mor- 
monism  sent  its  prophets  of  wind  through  the  land,  their 
chief  captives  were  silly  women.  Where  the  mother 
clave  to  the  faith  of  her  fathers,  the  family  was  safe; 
even  though  the  husband  might  falter  and  wander,  he 
generally,  in  the  end,  returned  to  his  home  and  his 
senses;  but  when  the  mother  yielded,  the  family  was  lost. 
Thus,  too,  all  forms  of  superstition  find  their  refuge  in 
the  interior  of  t^e  house.  Nor  is  it  less  so  in  politics. 
Where  woman's  voice  is  for  despotism,  despotism  is; 
when  it  is  for  anarchy,  anarchy  is ;  when  it  is  for  slavery, 


FEMALE    EDUCATION.  375 

the  chains  are  riveted.  In  the  French  Kevolution,  for 
example,  anarchy  and  despotism  alternated  as  the  Mad- 
ame Rolands  or  the  Charlotte  Cordays  were  upper- 
most. So  with  vice.  Angels  may  lecture  on  temperance 
in  vain,  if  beautiful  women  hold  out  the  tempting  glass ; 
divines  preach  to  little  purpose,  while  ladies  smile  at  blas- 
phemy j  Sinai's  thunders  go  forth  into  the  empty  air, 
while  women  of  the  upper  walks  caress  the  villain  and 
the  libertine;  despite  a  prophet's  prayers  and  words  of 
fire,  if  women  sneer  at  the  Gospel,  and  trample  the  Sab- 
bath under  foot,  the  wolf  of  hell  is  in  the  streets,  and 
the  moral  leopard  becomes  the  city  watch.  Now,  to  the 
chief  source  of  our  danger  we  must  look  for  our  remedy. 
Woman,  educated  and  virtuous,  is  the  great  social  light. 
She  dissipates  error,  and  superstition,  and  enthusiasm, 
and  quackery,  and  fanaticism,  as  the  sun  does  the  morn- 
ing mist.  When  she  stirs  the  fires  of  liberty,  the  chains 
of  the  tyrant  melt.  It  was  her  animating  voice  all 
through  our  Revolution  that  kept  the  banner  of  Inde- 
pendence afloat.  It  is  her  whisper  in  the  Sabbath  school, 
to  the  rising  generation,  that  makes  us  look  to  the  future 
without  alarm.  It  is  her  missionary  breathings  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  young  that  give  vividness  to  the  prophetic 
visions  of  the  millennium. 

Though  woman  was  the  instrument  of  our  fall,  she  was 
also  the  medium  of  our  redemption.  Such  is  her  power, 
such  the  necessity  for  educating  her.  Let  others  train 
the  Washingtons  and  the  dolumbuses,  if  it  can  be  yours 
to  train  the  Marthas,  without  whom  the  Washingtons 
could  not  evince  their  virtues,  and  the  Isabellas,  without 
whom  the  new  worlds  could  not  be  discovered. 


376  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 


(f  riginalits. 

ORIGINALITY,  in  the  sense  of  creation,  belongs  to 
God  only.  As  there  is  no  particle  of  matter  of  which 
he  is  not  the  creator,  so  there  is  no  idea  of  which  he  is 
not  the  author.  Men  may  change  the  forms,  and  alter 
the  combinations,  and  vary  the  relations  of  matter;  so 
they  may  modify,  and  decompose,  and  combine,  and  per- 
vert the  ideas  which  the  Almighty  furnishes,  but  they 
have  no  power  to  make  an  atom  or  an  idea.  AVhether  or 
not  we  admit  the  theory  that  all  ideas  reach  the  mind 
through  the  senses,  this  declaration  will  be  obvious. 

Originality  does  not  imply  the  avoiding  of-  all  ideas 
which  have  been  employed  by  others.  We  may  use  the 
ideas  of  others  and  yet  be  original. 

1.  By  presenting  them  in  new  combinations.  If  we  all 
go  to  the  same  great  source  of  ideas — the  universe — it  is 
not  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  several  shall  be  attracted 
by  the  same  fields,  and  view  them  in  the  same  aspects. 
But  as  optics,  and  tastes,  and  intellects,  like  limbs  and 
countenances,  difi'er,  so  that,  to  microscopic  vision,  no 
two  can  be  found  precisely  alike,  and  as  nature  herself 
is  subject  to  incessant  mutation,  perhaps  it  is  impossible 
that  two  minds,  acting  independently,  shall  bind  up  the 
same  ideas  in  the  same  combinations.  Nevertheless, 
there  may  be  great  similarity  in  the  productions  of  differ- 
ent intellects,  while  each  is  entitled  to  the  merit  of  orig- 
inality. Important  discoveries  have  been  made  simulta* 
neously,  by  different  persons,  without  correspondence  or 


ORIGINALITY.       '**  377 

collusion.  Truths,  buried  to  the  world  for  ages,  have  been 
revived  by  nearly  the  same  process  of  ratiocination  as 
that  which  led  to  their  first  discovery.  Ideas  selected 
and  combined  by  a  mind  acting  independently,  constitute 
an  original  production,  and  will,  in  all  cases,  evince  a 
peculiar  taste  and  talent. 

2.  By  giving  them  new  applications.  When  the  phy- 
sician makes  a  medicinal  use  of  some  plants  which  were 
gathered  for  ornament,  he  is  as  much  entitled  to  praise 
as  if  he  himself  had  collected  them  in  the  wilderness. 
Suppose  that,  before  the  arts  and  sciences  had  made 
much  progress,  three  men  had  experimented  over  a 
caldron  of  boiling  water,  heated  for  culinary  purposes,  and 
one  had  applied  steam  to  the  cure  of  disease,  another  to 
the  formation  of  oxygen  and  hydrogen  gases,  and  the 
third  to  the  propulsion  of  machinery — each  would  have 
been  an  original  discoverer.  When  a  writer  makes  a 
new  application  of  the  ideas  previously  expressed  by 
another,  he  is  original.  We  may,  therefore,  employ  com- 
hinations  of  ideas  prepared  to  our  hand,  and  yet  be  enti- 
tled to  the  merit  of  originality. 

3.  By  decomposing  and  recombining  them  so  as  to 
alter  their  properties.  Suppose  a  chemist  take  a  com- 
pound, and,  by  the  mere  use  of  reagents,  call  into  action 
a  new  play  of  affinities,  and  thus  alter  the  nature  of  the 
article,  and  increase  its  medicinal  virtue :  is  he  not  en 
titled  to  name  it  and  employ  it  as  his  own  ?  Nor  would 
he  be  deprived  of  this  honor,  or  advantage,  even  if  it 
could  be  shown  that  the  first  combination  required  time, 
and  labor,  and  expense,  while  the  change  was  the  result 
of  a  moment's  exertion.  It  is  hoped  that  many  combina- 
tions of  ideas,  which  are  now  poisonous,  may  be  rendered 
salutary  by  some  genius  who  may  discover  how  to  give  a 
new  play  to  their  tendencies. 

«-4  By  transforming  or  abridging.     Virgil  has,  in  many 
82 


378  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS 

parts  of  the  ^neid  and  Georgics,  imitated  Homer,  but 
he  has,  in  many  respects,  so  improved  upon  his  master 
that  we  can  scarce  regard  him  as  a  copyist.  The  natural 
theology  of  Mr.  Paley  is  based  upon  "Howe's  Living 
Temple."  Scarce  an  illustration  is  to  be  found  in  the 
former  which  is  not  contained  in  the  latter  j  yet  the  more 
modern  writer  has  wrought  out  the  illustrations  of  his 
predecessor  in  such  a  masterly  manner,  has  given  to  them 
so  much  force  and  beauty — from  the  recent  discoveries 
of  science — and  has  adapted  the  whole  work  to  the  com- 
mon reader  with  such  felicity,  that  no  one  calls  in  ques- 
tion his  title  to  originality.  When  an  individual,  by  the 
incorporation  of  his  own  industry  with  matter  previously 
prepared,  immeasurably  enhances  its  value,  he  is  original. 
When  a  writer  makes  a  new  and  more  valuable  work  upon 
the  basis  of  an  older  one,  he  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  a 
plagiarist. 

5.  By  simplifying.  If  a  man  were  to  make  a  vast  im- 
provement in  a  machine,  merely  by  rendering  it  more 
simple,  more  cheap,  more  portable,  he  would  nevertheless 
be  entitled  to  praise  and  a  patent.  It  requires  the  high- 
est kind  of  genius  and  of  art  to  simplify.  The  untutored 
savage  multiplies  causes  to  multiply  effects.  As  man 
emerges  from  ignorante,  he  approaches  his  Creator,  whose 
great  secret  is  a  simplicity  of  causes,  reconciled  with  a 
multiplicity  of  effects.  The  greatest  praise  of  a  machine, 
a  work,  or  a  science,  provided  it  answers  the  purpose,  is  its 
simplicity.  That  is  evidently  a  meritorious  kind  of  orig- 
inality which  can  seize  upon  the  valuable  ideas  of  an 
author,  and  present  them  in  all  their  power,  divested  of 
all  incumbrances,  and  in  a  much  smaller  compass. 

If  such  be  the  ample  range  within  which  a  man  may 
be  original,  there  can  be  no  excuse  for  plagiarism;  no 
excuse  for  using  the  matter  of  another,  verbatim,  or  for 
linking  sentiment  after  sentiment,  doctrine  after  doctrine, 


ORIGINALITY.  879 

argument  after  argument,  illustration  upon  illustration,  in 
the  same  order,  and  for  the  same  purpose  as  another  has 
done — though  the  language  may  be  different — while  the 
boundless  universe  is  before  us;  no  excuse  for  stealing  a 
paragraph  here,  another  there,  and  then  calling  the  com- 
bination an  original  composition.  It  is  an  original  con- 
glomeration, or  juxtaposition;  for  there  is  no  combina- 
tion among  such  incompatible  elements.  I  pity  the  mind 
that  can  employ  itself  in  such  a  task,  and  pity  the  con- 
science which  can  not  inflict  a  woeful  pang  for  such  an 
offense.  My  design,  however,  is  not  to  declaim  against 
plagiarism,  but  to  recommend  originality.  I  proceed, 
therefore,  to  notice  some  of  the  advantages  of  original 
effort. 

1.  It  exerts  a  favorable  influence  upon  the  judgment. 
This  is  the  most  important  function  of  the  mind.  The 
imagination  may  revel  among  splendid  ideas,  connected 
by  no  fixed  laws,  but  it  can  arrive  at  no  useful  result. 
The  memory  may  link  facts,  irrespective  of  their  relations, 
but  it  is  incompetent  to  discover  truth.  It  is  the  prov- 
ince of  judgment  alone  to  compare  facts,  to  trace  rela- 
tions, to  deduce  conclusions.  Extensive  learning,  an  im- 
agination lofty  as  the  heavens,  a  memory  capacious  as  the 
ocean,  would  be  rather  injurious  than  advantageous, 
unless  controlled  and  employed  by  a  sound  judgment.  It 
was  a  remark  of  Demosthenes,  in  reference  to  fooh^  that 
success  above  desert  is  an  occasion  of  misthinking, 
and  good  fortune  above  desert  an  occasion  of  misdoing. 

A  man  of  sound  judgment  will  accomplish  much  in 
whatever  sphere  he  is  placed,  and  will  know  how  to  use 
every  advantage  he  gains.  If  you  look  into  history,  or 
mark  the  progress  of  events  in  Church  or  state,  you  will 
perceive  that  the  men  who  make  the  most  display  are  not 
those  who  control  great  results.  Queen  Elizabeth,  of 
England,  exhibited  extraordinary  sagacity  in  the  choice 


380  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

of  her  public  men.  She  had  a  cabinet  equal,  if  not  supe- 
rior, to  any  that  England  has  ever  boasted;  but  she  put 
no  showy  men  into  it.  She  kept  working  men  for  work, 
and  showy  men  for  show.  On  every  stage  there  are  men 
of  judgment  behind  the  screen,  who  use  the  men  of  noise 
and  show  as  the  engineer  regulates  and  employs  his 
machinery.  They  of  the  latter  class  may  propel  the 
wheels,  but  they  do  so  only  at  the  pleasure  of  the  former. 
In  no  situation  will  a  man  of  sound  judgment  be  at  a  loss 
for  servants.  Like  a  great  orb  projected  among  inferior 
ones,  he  attracts  to  himself,  by  a  noiseless  yet  efficient 
energy,  a  system  of  satellites  which  wheel  around  him  in 
ceaseless  homage  and  obedience.  An  impudent  enemy 
once  asked  an  ancient  general — Iphicrates — by  way  of 
taunt,  what  he  was;  for  he  had  neither  spear,  nor  bow, 
nor  light  armor.  "I  am,"  said  he,  ^'the  man  who  com- 
mands all  these."  Thus,  with  that  crowning  capacity  of 
the  mind — ^judgment — though  without  learning,  or  brill- 
iancy, or  a  store  of  facts,  it  will  command  them  all.  How 
important,  then,  to  develop  and  train  the  judgment !  This 
can  be  done  only  by  the  habit  of  original  investigation. 
Such  a  habit  will  tend  to  improve  it. 

(1.)  By  producing  accuracy.  It  is  an  easy  thing  to  rea- 
son by  rule,  but  this  will  not  always  lead  to  correct  con- 
clusions. A  strict  attention  to  each  premiss  is  indispens- 
able. The  arithmetician  may  do  his  sum  by  the  right 
rule,  but  the  result  will  be  inaccurate,  unless  he  shall 
take  notice,  in  turn,  of  each  separate  figure.  Fallacies 
are,  however,  more  frequently  to  be  traced  to  imperfect 
investigation  than  to  illogical  reasoning.  They  lie  not 
in  the  argument  but  in  the  premises.  Most  men  reason 
well.  One  has  remarked  that  the  difference  between 
the  fool  and  the  madman  is  this:  the  former  reasons  in- 
correctly from  true  premises,  the  latter  reasons  correctly 
from  false  premises.     The  errors  of  men  are  generally  of 


■*■-'-      ORIGINALITY.''-^ '13.  381 

the  latter  kind.  They  fail  in  the  examination  of  the 
premises.  Hence  the  necessity  for  patient  investigation. 
This  begets  the  tendency  to  inquire  into  every  thing, 
define  every  term,  understand  every  fact — its  bearings, 
relations,  and  tendencies.  Sir  Isaac  Newton  reasoned 
like  an  angel  in  philosophy,  and  like  a  child  in  politics 
or  religion.  Why  this  difference?  His  mind  was  as 
strong  when  applied  to  one  object  as  to  another;  but  in 
physics  he  had  made  himself  master  of  premises — in  other 
sciences  he  had  not. 

Logic  is  of  no  consequence  to  a  man  who  has  not 
accurately  attended  to  every  part  of  the  subject  which 
he  examines.  If  a  man  has  not  studied  French,  he 
will  not  be  enabled  to  read  it  merely  by  putting  on 
spectacles. 

(2.)  By  begetting  habits  of  nice  discrimination  and 
rigid  analysis.  The  unpracticed  surgeon  may  perform 
coarse  operations;  but  when  he  undertakes  to  cut  in  the 
midst  of  important  arteries  and  nerves,  where  the  varia- 
tion of  a  hair's  breadth  would  occasion  death,  he  trembles 
and  desists.  So  the  coarse  mind  may  be  suitable  for 
coarse  operations;  but  when  the  utmost  nicety  is  indis- 
pensable, and  when  life  or  death,  peace  or  war,  salvation 
or  damnation  is  suspended  on  the  movement  of  the  judg- 
ment, it  grows  blind  and  faint.  Dr.  M'C,  noted  through- 
out the  Union  for  the  celerity,  and  accuracy,  and  neatness 
of  his  operations,  once  informed  me  that  his  skill  had 
been  acquired  by  striking  at  minute  points,  and  that  he 
had  spent  hours  in  doing  nothing  else.  The  mind 
trained  to  independent  investigation,  which  has  learned 
to  fix  its  attention,  train  its  powers,  concentrate  its 
energy,  move  all  its  faculties  in  concert,  may  trust  its 
powers  of  discrimination  when  other  minds  grow  giddy, 
and  cut  with  calmness  and  firmness  when  splitting 
hairs.     In  the  professions  of  law,  politics,  medicine,  and 


3$2  EDUCATIONAL     ESSAYS. 

divinity,  this   delicacy  of  judgment  can   hardly  be  too 
highly  prized. 

(3.)  By  producing  confidence.  The  mind  rests  in  its 
conclusions  when  conscious  of  having  thoroughly  exam- 
ined each  step  of  its  progress  in  arriving  at  them,  as  the 
student  is  confident  of  the  correctness  of  his  translation 
when  he  has  examined  each  definition,  parsed  each  word, 
and  comprehended  the  grammatical  relations  of  each  part 
and  particle.  Such  a  man  is  not  easily  shaken.  He  is 
firm  as  the  rock.  His  firmness  is  not,  however,  that  of 
the  mountains,  which  can  not  move,  nor  of  the  mule,  that 
has  no  understanding — it  is  the  firmness  of  a  mind  con- 
scious that  it  is  right.  Such  a  mind  will  court  investiga- 
tion, hail  truth  under  whatever  name  it  may  come,  cheer- 
fully yield  to  conviction,  but,  unless  convinced  that  it  is 
wrong,  stand  forever  in  its  position.  A  man  of  this  de- 
scription relies  not  so  much  on  his  talents,  or  ingenuity, 
or  eloquence,  but  on  the  truth.  He  fears  no  opposition, 
but,  like  a  garrison  in  a  castle  that  is  impregnable,  defie* 
assault. 

2.  Originality  exerts  a  favorable  influence  upon  the 
memory.  The  memory  of  facts  depends  much  upon  the 
attention  with  which  they  are  viewed.  The  habit  of  orig- 
inal investigation  fixes  attention. 

3.  Originality  exerts  a  favorable  influence  upon  imag- 
ination. It  restrains,  regulates,  refines  the  fancy;  but  it 
curbs  it  not.  Instead  of  permitting  it  to  run  wild  and 
lawless  through  the  regions  of  space,  it  directs  it  to  the 
noblest  and  most  useful  purposes. 

4.  Originality  exerts  a  favorable  influence  upon  mental 
habits. 

(1.)  It  begets  a  habit  of  observation.  If  a  man  rely 
upon  books  or  discourse  for  his  ideas,  he  may  pass 
through  every  scene  of  business  or  pleasure,  without  ob- 
serving any  thing  with  a   careful  eye — neither  counte- 


,  ORiaiNALiTt.       :<«  388 

nances,  nor  sentiments,  nor  opinions — neither  men,  nor 
things,  nor  events — neither  the  amiable  nor  the  lovely, 
the  beautiful  nor  the  grand  awaken  the  reflection  of  his 
idle  soul.  He  is  like  the  heir  to  a  fortune,  who  avails 
himself  of  no  opportunity  of  profit,  because  he  relies  upon 
the  accumulations  of  others.  It  is  quite  otherwise  with 
the  original  inquirer.  He  sees  a  little  world  in  every 
leaf,  and  sources  of  boundless  contemplation  in  every 
star.  Scarce  a  look,  or  action,  or  word  escapes  his  notice ; 
no  event  so  trivial  as  not  to  excite  useful  reflection,  or 
furnish  a  felicitous  illustration.  His  mind  is  in  a  state 
of  continual  activity,  so  that  it  is  pleased  to  find  some- 
thing on  which  it  may  exert  itself;  and,  in  the  exuber- 
ance of  its  thoughts,  it  finds  every  thing  with  which  it 
meets  serviceable  as  a  channel  of  communication.  It  was 
a  remark  of  one  of  the  ancients,  that  he  was  never  less 
alone  than  when  alone.  Such  were  his  habits  of  medita- 
tion, that  in  silence  and  in  darkness,  in  dungeon  or  in 
desert,  he  found  himself  in  a  beautiful  and  busy  world, 
over  which  his  own  active  mind  had  spread  life,  and 
activity,  and  beauty;  and  every  little  pebble,  and  breeze, 
and  bird,  and  flower  seemed  to  crowd  around  him  as 
children  around  a  parent,  anxious  to  listen  to  his  dis- 
course, to  court  his  favor,  to  enjoy  his  smiles,  and  render 
him  willing  homage  and  obedience.  An  eminent  writer 
of  our  own  country  and  times  was  distinguished  in  early 
life  for  a  habit  of  this  kind.  When  riding  alone  he  has 
often  been  observed  to  dismount  from  his  horse,  draw 
from  his  pocket  a  commonplace  book,  and  note  down,  for 
future  use,  some  brilliant  thought  which  had  suggested 
itself  to  him  in  his  solitary  musings.  Such  a  man  will 
almost  electrify  an  audience  by  a  happy  use  of  some 
trivial  circumstance  which  scarce  any  one  else  would  have 
noticed. 

(2.)    It  begets   a   habit  of  philosophical   association. 


384  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

Nature  will  not  permit  our  ideas  to  be  separated  and  inde- 
pendent. She  takes  care  to  link  them  together,  but  she 
connects  them  in  a  confused  manner.  We  may  direct 
her  in  her  operations  if  we  choose,  and  thus  make  her 
services  in  this  respect  of  the  utmost  value.  Instead  of 
having  our  ideas  all  lying  loose  in  a  box,  like  the  papers 
of  the  careless  merchant — notes  and  receipts,  letters 
answered  and  unanswered,  whether  on  business,  or  friend- 
ship, or  religion,  or  politics — all  thrown  together  into 
one  huge  pile,  we  may  partition  our  memory  into  pigeon- 
holes, classify  them  philosophically,  label  them  neatly, 
and  lay  them  where  they  may  be  safe,  and  where  they 
may  be  found  at  any  time  after  a  moment's  search.  Of 
what  inestimable  advantage  this  will  prove,  every  one 
must  at  once  perceive.  The  practice  of  original  investi- 
gation will  secure  such  an  association  of  ideas  by  render- 
ing it  habitual  and  absolutely  necessary.  All  ideas  being 
in  demand  for  practical  use,  are  examined  as  they  arrive, 
and  assorted  and  filed. 

This  orderly  arrangement  of  ideas  will  be  transferred 
to  the  business  of  its  possessor.  It  will  divide  his  time, 
systematize  his  pleasures,  devotions,  and  pursuits,  and 
exert  a  beneficial  influence  over  his  person,  his  habita- 
tion, and  all  his  paths.  It  will,  almost  of  itself,  insure 
peace,  and  comfort,  and  success  in  this  world  of  folly  and 
derangement. 

5.  Originality  exerts  a  favorable  influence  upon  elo- 
quence. 

(1.)  It  confers  clearness  of  expression.  This  is  in- 
dispensable to  eloquence.  We  may  have  bombast,  and 
noise,  and  argument,  and  declamation,  without  perspi- 
cuity, but  not  eloquence.  The  language  may  be  copi- 
ous and  beautiful,  the  voice  harmonious,  the  subject 
interesting,  the  arguments,  and  illustrations,  and  appeals 
numerous  and  elaborate;  figures  on  figures  may  be  piled 


I 


ORIGINALITY.  385 

up  to  a  pyramid,  but  after  all  the  speaker  or  writer  will 
fall  far  short  of  eloquence,  unless  he  express  himself 
with  clearness.  He  may  excite  the  admiration  of  the 
ignorant,  and  the  stare  of  the  gaping  idiot,  but  he  will 
receive  only  the  pity  or  contempt  of  the  intelligent, 
judicious  hearer.  Clearness  is  generally  associated  with 
originality.  A  man  can  scarcely  be  original,  and  at  the 
same  time  obscure.  The  subject  may  be  such  as  to 
require  language  and  arguments  which  are  not  familiar 
to  all,  but  yet  it  may  be  treated  so  as  to  be  perfectly 
plain  to  those  for  whom  it  is  discussed.  Whatever 
views  a  man  compasses  by  his  own  exertions,  will  strike 
him  with  more  or  less  force,  and  whatever  he  conceives 
strongly  he  will  express  clearly.  We  sometimes  com- 
plain, that  although  we  understand  a  subject  thoroughly, 
we  are  unable  to  explain  it.  This  doctrine  enters  more 
frequently  into  my  apologies  than  into  my  philosophy; 
for  it  transfers  the  disgrace  of  failure  from  the  man's 
mind  to  the  nation's  language,  and  leaves  the  impression 
upon  the  hearer  that  the  speaker's  soul  contains  depths 
unfathomable.  That  mind  must  indeed  be  great  for 
whose  lofty  conceptions  the  flexible  and  copious  English 
language,  enriched  by  unnumbered  accessions  from  an- 
cient Greece  and  Rome,  and  from  nearly  all  the  living 
languages  of  the  civilized  earth,  can  not  provide  appro- 
priate expressions.  It  must  be  far  above  that  of  John- 
son or  Addison,  of  Milton  or  Shakspeare.  It  is  a  wonder 
that  the  great  minds  of  former  ages  did  not  discover 
this  difficulty.  It  is  strange  that  we,  who  could  make 
ourselves  understood,  when  we  were  babes,  can  not  now 
that  we  are  men.  But,  irony  aside,  the  English  lan- 
guage is  transparent  enough  to  show  the  treasures  be- 
neath it,  however  deep  they  lie,  when  it  flows  through  a 
good  channel.  It  is  only  when  it  passes  over  a  muddy 
bed  that  it  becomes  turbid,  and  reveals  no  riches  below. 
33 


886  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

I  can  point  to  men,  distinguished  in  the  political  world, 
who  are  authors  of  able  state  papers,  written  not  only 
with  power,  but  accuracy  and  beauty,  and  who  are  per- 
fectly ignorant  of  the  first  principles  of  grammar.  They 
are  men  of  original  minds,  and  they  understand  what 
they  write  so  clearly  that  they  express  themselves  with- 
out any  confusion.  The  author  of  a  grammar,  in  giving 
directions  to  avoid  blunders,  gives  the  following  as 
worth  a  thousand  rules ;  namely,  "  think  well  before  you 
speak." 

(2.)  It  secures  an  appropriate  theme.  Much  depends 
on  the  choice  of  a  subject.  The  period,  the  age,  the 
education,  the  habits,  the  prejudices,  and  the  state  of 
feeling  of  the  audience  must  all  be  taken  into  consid- 
eration. What  may  be  proper  at  home  may  be  unsuita- 
ble abroad.  That  which  is  adapted  to  the  town  may  be 
useless  in  the  country.  An  address  which  would  delight 
youth,  might  offend  old  age.  Arguments,  language,  illus- 
trations, which  would  enchain  one  auditory,  might  be 
deemed  pedantic  by  another.  The  Boanerges  may  throw 
his  thunderbolts  around  him  with  salutary  effect,  when  the 
moral  atmosphere  is  in  a  peculiar  state ;  whereas,  under 
other  circumstances,  his  power  had  better  be  restrained. 
The  storm  that  refreshes  the  northern  field,  might  tear  to 
pieces  the  tender  petals  accustomed  to  drink  naught  but 
the  oriental  dews.  There  is  in  some  communities  a  pe- 
culiar proneness  to  resist  certain  truths — a  kind  of  moral 
idiosyncrasy.  In  such  cases  the  wise  physician  of 
souls  will  dissolve  that  pill  in  sweetened  water,  which,  in 
a  solid  state,  might  be  instantly  rejected.  The  effect  of 
a  discourse  depends  much  upon  the  state  of  feeling  of 
the  hearers.  When  the  mind  is  in  a  musing,  melancholy 
mood,  "  Hail  Columbia,"  however  skillfully  played,  will 
grate  harshly  upon  the  ear,  and  almost  agonize  the  soul; 
whereas,  "Roslin  Castle,"  by  a  much  less  expert  musi- 


ORIGINALITY.  387 

cian,  will  be  to  the  ear  charming  as  the  harp  of  Orpheus, 
and  will  spread  over  the  soul  as  oil  upon  the  troubled 
waters. 

That  man  who  is  always  presenting  the  same  doctrines 
and  precepts  in  the  same  way,  may  have  excellent  matter, 
and  may  occasionally  do  some  good,  when  his  auditory 
happens  to  be  adapted  to  his  text ;  but  his  course  is  as 
unscientific  as  was  that  of  Dr.  Sangrado,  who  prescribed 
blood-letting  and  warm  water  for  every  patient.  The 
former  character  would  be  very  useful,  if  God's  provi- 
dences adapted  congregations  to  subjects;  and  such  a 
one  as  the  latter  would  be  uniformly  successful,  if  the 
Almighty  fitted  patients  to  prescriptions.  How  awh^card 
is  that  warrior  who  never  takes  off  his  armor,  but  goes 
to  the  forum  and  the  fireside  as  he  does  to  the  field ! 
There  is  a  pretty  illustration  of  this  remark  in  the  Iliad. 
Hector,  going  forth  to  battle,  meets  Andromache,  at- 
tended by  her  little  son  and  his  nurse.  The  illustrious 
father  extends  his  arms  for  his  dear  boy;  but  back- 
ward he  inclines  to  the  bosom  of  his  fair-girdled  nurse, 
crying  aloud,  alarmed  at  the  sight  of  his  loved  father, 
terrified  at  the  brazen  helmet,  and  the  horse-hair  crest. 
His  father  and  mother  laugh.  Hector  immediately  takes 
the  helmet  from  his  head,  and  places  it  all  resplendent 
upon  the  ground.  But  when  Astyanax  perceived  the 
countenance  of  the  father,  not  that  of  the  warrior,  he 
was  willing  to  be  dandled  and  caressed.  How  awkward 
the  minister  who  is  always  glittering  in  armor,  and  who 
goes  forth  to  feed  the  lambs  of  the  flock  as  he  would  to 
encounter  the  lion  in  his  lair! 

Who  has  not  seen  the  splendid  effort  prove  utterly 
worthless  in  consequence  of  its  irrelevancy?  and  who 
has  not  known  a  feeble  production  to  electrify  in  conse- 
quence of  its  perfect  adaptation?  When  a  distinguished 
clergyman   was  requested   to  furnish    for   publication  a 


EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

copy  of  a  sermon  which  he  had  preached  during  a 
terrific  thunder-storm,  and  which  produced  a  tremendous 
eflFect,  he  agreed  to  comply  with  the  request  upon  con- 
dition that  the  committee  would  agree  to  print  the 
thunder  and  lightning  which  accompanied  it.  He  knew 
that  it  derived  its  charm  from  its  appropriateness.  One 
of  the  great  advantages  which  the  extemporary  orator 
has  over  one  who  uses  a  manuscript,  arises  from  the 
fact,  that  he  can  take  advantage  of  every  little  circum- 
stance that  may  occur  to  attract  the  attention  of  his 
hearers — the  presence  of  some  unexpected  person,  the 
appearance  of  a  particular  countenance,  the  entrance  of 
a  swallow  through  the  window,  the  sudden  rising  of  a 
cloud  may  suggest  brilliant  thoughts,  happy  illustrations, 
beautiful  passages  of  Holy  Writ,  which,  because  fresh 
and  appropriate,  animate  the  speaker  and  startle  the 
hearer.  How  thrilling  must  have  been  this  passage  ut- 
tered by  an  orator,  when  preaching  before  a  monarch, 
whom  he  noticed  to  be  talking:  "When  the  lion  roars 
the  beasts  of  the  earth  tremble,  and  when  the  Almighty 
speaks  let  the  kings  of  the  earth  keep  silence." 

This  advantage  is  similar  to  that  which  the  scientific 
physician  has  over  the  empiric.  The  latter  prescribes 
for  the  names  of  diseases,  the  former  for  their  symptoms. 
Solomon  has  beautifully  described  the  charm  of  appro- 
priateness:  "Words  fitly  spoken,  are  like  Apples  of  gold 
in  pictures  of  silver." 

What  can  secure  the  advantage  of  appropriateness  but 
that  habit  of  reliance  upon  one's  own  resources  which 
leads  to  a  close  observance  of  every  thing  around  us? 
A  man  of  sense  can  hardly  fail  to  speak  and  write  fitly, 
who  speaks  and  writes  what  his  own  intellect  furnishes. 
The  man  who  derives  his  efforts  from  books  is  like  the 
blind  giant — his  blows  are  powerful,  and  when  they 
happen  to  fall  in  the  right  place  they  do  execution ;    but 


ORIGINALITY.  389 

they  generally  miss  the  mark.  But  he  who  draws  his 
matter  from  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  is  like  the  skillful 
archer  who  sees  the  mark  before  he  lets  his  arrow  fly, 
and  can  scarce  be  said  to  draw  a  bow  at  a  venture.  An 
original  minister  can  easily  get  a  skeleton,  and  then 
clothe  it  with  muscles,  and  give  it  organs  of  life  and 
sense,  and  above  all  animate  it  with  a  spirit,  by  going 
into  any  house  in  his  neighborhood  and  conversing  with 
its  inmates  half  an  hour;  and  when  he  brings  it  forth 
on  Sabbath,  it  will  be  sure  to  do  execution  somewhere. 
An  original  man  has  not  only  an  appropriate  subject, 
but  his  illustrations  are  generally  appropriate.  They 
seem  to  grow  out  of  his  subject.  They  are  not  like  the 
flowers  of  the  nosegay,  gathered  for  the  vase — pretty, 
but  scarce  viewed  before  they  wither;  but  like  the 
flowers  in  the  garden,  rooted  to  the  soil,  and  deriving 
nourishment  from  it. 

(3.)  It  forms  a  suitable  style.  There  can  be  no  elo- 
quence without  propriety  in  this  respect.  A  showy 
style,  for  instance,  on  a  grave  subject,  is  in  as  bad  taste 
as  the  sparkling  ornaments  of  the  ball-room  in  the 
gloomy  chambers  of  death.  An  inappropriate  style  is 
generally  a  mark  of  a  feeble  or  dependent  intellect. 
The  mind  never  clothes  thoughts  purely  its  own  in  an 
unseemly  dress.  Nature  suitably  arrays  her  productions, 
whether  in  the  natural  or  moral  world.  In  the  former 
she  will  not  dress  the  animals  of  the  polar  regions 
as  she  does  those  of  the  equatorial.  She  will  not  orna- 
ment the  beast  that  prowls  the  desert  or  the  forest  as 
she  will  the  merry  songster  of  the  breeze — she  gives 
no  proboscis  to  the  swallow  that  builds  her  nest  by  the 
altar — no  wings  to  Behemoth,  who  trusteth  that  he  can 
draw  up  Jordan  into  his  mouth.  Is  she  less  judicious 
in  her  moral  works  ?  Not  when  she  has  her  way.  She 
will  be   chaste   and   dignified   in   philosophy,   oratorical 


390  EDUCATIONAL     ESSAYS. 

in  oratory,  swift  and  graceful  in  song  and  satire.  She 
will  vary  the  appearance  of  her  productions  as  she  passes 
from  the  dissolving  heats  of  the  equator  to  the  eternal 
snows  of  the  pole.  She  will  vary  her  machinery  as 
she  swims  the  deep,  or  sails  the  winds,  or  crawls  the 
earth.  Be  original  and  you  will  be  simple  or  vehement, 
neat,  elegant,  or  brilliant,  according  as  your  subject  may 
require. 

(4.)  It  suggests  a  suitable  arrangement.  This  is  in- 
dispensable to  a  good  production.  It  is  important  in 
the  adjustment  of  the  diiferent  parts  of  an  oration  or 
composition,  and  also  in  the  arrangement  of  the  various 
portions  of  each  part.  An  original  genius  will  digest 
the  subject  before  it  thinks  of  the  manner  in  which  it  is 
to  be  introduced,  as  naturally  as  a  carpenter  will  erect 
his  building  before  he  puts  on  the  roof.  How  awkward 
does  that  introduction  sound  which  does  not  lead  directly 
to  the  subject,  and  prepare  the  way  before  it!  Till  a 
subject  is  matured,  how  can  one  know  what  preposses- 
sions will  require  to  be  removed  before  it  is  presented,  or 
what  considerations  will  attract  attention  toward  it? 

In  making  an  oration,  or  writing  an  essay,  a  clear 
statement  of  the  subject  will  of  itself  do  much.  The 
mind  which  has  examined  any  subject  thoroughly  will 
be  able  to  state  it  clearly  and  forcibly,  divide  it  naturally, 
and  in  the  narration  and  explication  spread  light  around 
it  at  every  step. 

The  management  of  arguments  is  of  vast  importance. 
.(Eschines,  in  a  celebrated  contest,  requested  the  judges 
to  confine  Demosthenes  to  the  same  order  in  replying  to 
his  arguments  as  he  had  observed  in  making  them;  but 
Demosthenes  was  too  well  acquainted  with  the  advantage 
of  his  own  arrangement  to  be  thus  entrapped.  It  often 
happens  that  the  ingenious  disputant  will  reverse  the 
order  of  his  antagonist's  arguments.     But  to  the  sober, 


ORIGINALITY.  A  391 

judicious  mind,  which  has  made  itself  master  of  its 
subject,  no  canons  are  absolutely  necessary. 

Caesar,  when  he  pushed  his  triumphs  into  Gaul, 
needed  no  rules  of  military  warfare,  but  such  as  his  good 
common  sense  and  a  knowledge  of  the  number,  weapons, 
and  position  of  the  foe  suggested.  He  formed  the  tor- 
toise, the  circle,  or  the  wedge,  according  as  he  wished 
to  scale  a  wall,  to  resist  superior  numbers,  or  rush  to  his 
camp  through  intervening  ranks.  I  wish  not  to  be 
understood  that  rules  are  useless,  but  that  a  thorough 
acquaintance  with  the  subject  may  render  them  dis- 
pensable. { 

(p.)  It  produces  animation.  Nothing  can  atone  for 
the  want  of  this — nothing  can  insure  it  so  well  as  orig- 
inality. If  a  man's  arguments  are  his  own  he  will  un- 
derstand them  perfectly — he  will  therefore  use  them  for 
the  right  purjiose — he  will  perceive  their  bearing  upon 
the  issue.  The  very  reviewing,  marshaling,  commanding 
of  them,  the  observing  of  their  accurate,  movements,  the 
manner  in  which  they  rout  the  foe,  and  take  the  field, 
is  of  itself  inspiring.  If  his  sentiments  are  his  own, 
they  will  of  course  be  felt,  and  being  felt  they  will  be 
forcibly  expressed — heart  will  always  find  a  way  to  reach 
heart. 

There  is  generally  a  freedom  from  embarrassment,  a 
kind  of  engaging  ease  of  manner,  attending  the  inde- 
pendent, original  mind,  which  is  of  immense  value. 
The  attention  being  fixed  upon  the  subject,  it  is  not 
likely  to  be  diverted  by  the  audience,  or  any  extraneous 
considerations.  It  must  be  admitted  that  the  mind, 
though  strong  and  original,  can  not  always  command  an 
animated  expression  or  delivery.  There  are  some  regions 
of  thought  naturally  cold,  yet,  even  there,  the  mind  may 
occasionally  exhibit  warmth,  like  Lapland,  which,  amid 
eternal  snows,  has  here  and  there  a  boiling  fountain. 


392  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

There  is  a  certain  state  of  mental  activity  necessary  to 
compass  original  thought,  and  this  will  always  insure 
some  degree  of  grace  and  animation.  A  ship,  however 
poor,  when  in  a  storm,  is  a  beautiful  object.  ■  As  she 
yields  to  the  winds,  and  mounts  the  billows,  now  rising 
to  the  clouds,  now  sinking  into  the  bosom  of  the  deep, 
now  cutting  the  white  caps,  and  now  shipping  a  mountain 
sea,  she  presents  a  spectacle  of  thrilling  interest. 

There  is  something  sublime  in  the  humble  human 
soul,  when,  afloat  upon  the  wide  universe,  she  rides  the 
heaving  billows  of  thought  swept  by  the  storm  of  passion. 
Her  prow  may  be  unornamented,  her  cargo  poor,  her 
movements  irregular,  but  she  has  grace  in  every  motion. 


I 


HIGHER    EDUCATION, 


IT  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  foster  institutions  of 
higher  education.     This  follows, 

1.  From  the  nature  of  God.  He  is  infinitely  wise; 
the  development  of  his  character  is  the  development  of 
his  will.  As  the  fact  that  he  is  holy  proves  his  will  that 
we  should  be  holy,  so  the  fact  that  he  is  wise  proves  it 
to  be  his  will  that  we  should  be  wise.  That  man  must 
have  false  ideas  of  the  Father  of  lights,  who  does  not 
deem  it  the  duty  of  Zion  to  diffuse  science.  What  is 
science  but  truth?  and  what  is  truth  but  the  adum- 
bration of  God?  The  very  first  page  of  the  book  in 
which  the  Almighty  reveals  himself,  is  a  sheet  of  sci- 
ence— in  metaphysics,  geology,  natural  history,  etc. — and 
every  other  leaf  of  the  Bible  is  of  a  similar  character. 
No  wonder,  for  He  who  showeth  his  word  unto  Jacob,  is 
the  same  that  telleth  the  number  of  the  stars;  and  he  is 
praised  not  only  in  his  sanctuary,  but  in  the  firmament 
of  his  power.  To  the  devotional  mind,  the  heavens  and 
the  earth  are  like  the  seraphims  whom  the  prophet  saw  in 
vision,  hiding  their  faces  within  their  wings,  and  cry- 
ing, one  to  another,  "  Holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of  hosts ; 
the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory."  Hence,  the  soul 
that  comes  from  an  intimate  communion  with  God,  is  apt 
to  shine  like  the  face  of  Moses  coming  down  from  the 
mount.  Hence,  the  Church  is  clothed  like  the  sun. 
Hence,  too,  when  she  comes  to  moral  spheres,  like  God, 

®  Delirered  at  the  opening  of  Genesee  ColJege,  N.  Y. 


394  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

when  lie  came  to  chaos,  slie  says,  "Let  there  be  light," 
and  light  comes  at  her  bidding. 

Who  penetrates  the  earth,  and  explores  the  heavens  ? 
who  analyzes  the  laws  of  mind,  and  extends  farther  and 
farther  its  dominion  over  matter  ?  who  kindles  the  radi- 
ant centers  of  knowledge,  that  are  destined,  by  their 
mingled  rays,  soon  to  illuminate  the  whole  earth?  The 
Church  of  the  living  God,  for  God  himself  is  light. 
Men  have  argued  against  science,  because  the  devil  is 
one  of  the  most  scientific  beings  in  the  universe.  The 
misfortune  for  the  argument  is,  that  God  is  altogether  the 
most  scientific. 

2.  From  the  character  of  the  Almighty,  let  us  turn 
to  draw  an  argument  from  the  nature  of  the  human  mind. 
It  is  impossible  to  be  pleased  or  displeased  with  what  we 
do  not  perceive,  or  to  have  desire  or  aversion,  without  the 
emotions  of  pleasure  or  displeasure,  or  to  pursue  or  avoid 
an  object  toward  which  we  feel  neither  attracted  nor  re- 
pelled. Moreover^  the  conduct  conforms  to  the  percep- 
tion. If  the  most  lovely  object  be  apprehended  as  un- 
lovely, it  will  be  hated  and  shunned;  if  the  most  hateful 
be  viewed  as  lovely,  it  will  be  admired  and  pursued. 
Hence,  there  is  an  intimate  connection  between  knowl- 
edge and  religion ;  for,  as  conduct  depends  upon  knowl- 
edge, religion  depends  upon  conduct.  What  is  it  but 
obedience  to  God?  Hence,  the  Bible  represents  hell  as 
"darkness,"  heaven  as  "light."  To  deprive  the  world 
of  the  Bible,  is  to  cover  it  with  heathenism;  to  cover  it 
with  the  knowledge  of  God,  is  to  produce  the  millennium. 
I  refer  now  to  Biblical  knowledge  particularly;  but  as  na- 
ture and  providence  are  from  the  same  hand  as  the  Bible, 
they  must  be  in  harmony  with  it,  and  their  legitimate 
tendency  must  be  toward  Christianity.  Some,  I  know, 
have  alleged  that  science  has  usually  opposed  the  Scrip- 
tures;   they  should   have  said,   false   interpretations  of 


HIOHXR    EDUCATION.  HP 

them.  Thus  Conclaves  in  the  days  of  Copernicus  said, 
"  If  you  hold  that  the  earth  turns  round,  you  deny  the 
truth  of  the  Bible;  but  they  could  not  prevent  the  world 
from  turning,  nor  themselves  from  turning  with  it."  So 
men  may  say,  if  you  deny  that  the  earth  was  created  so 
many  years  ago,  you  overthrow  the  Scriptures ;  but  they 
can  not  blot  out  God's  handwriting  upon  the  mountains, 
nor  introduce  discord  into  the  harmony  which  subsists 
between  geology  and  Genesis.  Some  philosophers,  I  ad- 
mit, have  tried  to  use  science  against  revelation.  But 
which  of  the  scientific  discoveries  alleged  to  be  inconsist- 
ent with  Scripture,  has  not  been  reconciled  to  its  pages? 
Which  of  the  mountain  minds  that  mark  the  great  steps 
of  scientific  progress,  and  throw  their  shadows  over  gen- 
erations, has  failed  to  bow  its  reverential  and  honored 
head  before  the  Jehovah  of  the  Bible?  For  example, 
Kepler  thus  opens  his  sublime  views:  "I  beseech  my 
reader  that,  not  unmindful  of  the  divine  goodness  be- 
stowed on  man,  he  do  with  me  celebrate  and  praise  the 
wisdom  and  greatness  of  the  Creator  which  I  open  to 
him."  And  Newton  thus  closes  his  Principia:  "We 
know  [God]  only  by  his  properties  and  attributes,  by  the 
wise  and  admirable  structure  of  things  around  us,  and  by 
their  final  causes;  we  admire  him  on  account  of  his  per- 
fections; we  venerate  and  worship  him  on  account  of  his 
government."  But  time  would  fail  to  speak  of  Boyle, 
and  Locke,  and  Pascal,  and  Boerhaave,  etc.  A  few  per- 
sons, I  grant,  have  been  philosophers  without  being 
Christians,  but  they  were  perhaps  nearer  to  Christianity 
than  they  otherwise  would  have  been,  and  their  skepti- 
cism only  proves  that  the  tendency  of  science  to  devo- 
tion, can  not  overcome  all  opposing  forces,  or  dispense 
with  supernatural  light.  Many  object  to  science  because 
it  is  lofty  in  spirit.  False  science  only  is  so.  The  higher 
a  man  ascends,  the  wider  is  his  field  of  vision,  and  the 


396  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

deeper  his  humility.  The  chief  of  British  philosophers, 
at  the  close  of  life,  said,  "I  feel  as  a  child  that  has  been 
wandering  by  the  sea-shore,  and  picked  up  a  few  pebbles, 
while  the  vast  ocean  of  truth  lies  before  me."  The 
prince  of  Jewish  philosophers  said,  "When  I  consider 
thy  heavens,  the  moon  and  stars  which  thou  hast  ordain- 
ed; what  is  man  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him,  or  the  son 
of  man  that  thou  raakest  account  of  him?"  Although 
knowledge  is  not  always  followed  by  religion,  religion 
must  always  be  preceded  by  a  certain  amount  of  knowl- 
edge. Hence,  we  show  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  impart 
knowledge, 

3.  From  the  very  nature  of  religion.  This  consists 
summarily  in  righteousness  and  godliness.  What  is 
righteousness  but  the  doing  of  right?  To  this  two 
things  are  necessary :  we  must  know  the  rule  of  right, 
and  feel  the  impulsion  to  observe  it.  What  is  the  rule 
of  right  but  the  will  of  God  ?  and  where  is  the  will  of 
God  expressed  but  in  his  word?  and  whence  are  the 
most  operative  motives  to  obedience  ?  Surely  from  a  per- 
ception of  relations.  And  where  are  these  relations  ex- 
hibited in  the  most  endearing  forms,  but  in  the  sacred  or- 
acles? We  rmist,  then,  understand  the  Scriptures;  and  to 
do  this,  we  must  have  no  small  degree  of  knowledge ;  the 
meaning  of  words,  and  the  laws  of  language,  at  least. 
A  mere  saving  knowledge  may  be  communicated  orally, 
or  obtained  through  a  very  imperfect  acquaintance  with 
our  mother  tongue,  but  who  would  be  satisfied  with  this? 
or  who  would  think  that  he  had  done  enough  for  his 
fellow-man  to  have  imparted  it?  Not  an  enlightened 
Church  of  God.  We  abhor  slavery;  and  wherein  is  its 
chief  woe?  Not  in  exhausted  strength,  or  deficient 
food,  or  the  chain  which  binds  the  limbs,  or  the  lash 
which  draws  the  blood,  but  in  the  padlock  which  swings 
upon  the  mind.     It  is  because  man  is  an  immortal  being 


HIGHER    EDUCATION.  897 

on    trial   for  eternity,  and   because  slavery,   by  locking 
the  mind,  closes  the  appointed  communication  between 
God  and  the  human  heart,  that  it  is  so  unspeakable  a 
curse.     Beware,  lest,  in  your  boasted  liberty,  you  endure 
the   crowning  calamity  of  African  bondage.     Better  be 
without  friends,  without  raiment,  without  shelter,  with- 
out food,  than  without  that  knowledge  which  is  necessary 
to  bring  you  into  unembarrassed  communication  with  God, 
through  his  word.     To  this  degree  of  attainment  should 
the  Church  feel  bound   to  bring  all  her  children.     But 
should  she  stop  here  ?     The  word  of  God  was  not  origin- 
nally  given  in  our  mother  tongue,  but  in  languages  more 
beautiful  and  perfect.     Should  not  the  Church  be  able  to 
read  it  in  the  words  in  which  it  fell  from  the  lips  of  God? 
I  do  not  say  that  every  Christian  should,  though  in  this 
there  were  no  harm ;  but  surely  the  Church  is  culpable  if 
many  of  her  members  do  not  thns  read  God's  message. 
Suppose  this  assembly  should   receive  a  communication 
from  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  on  a  subject  in  which  the 
temporal  interest  of  every  member  is  concerned,  would 
you  be  satisfied  with  a  translation  ?  would  you  not  like  to 
preserve  the  or*V/ina? document?  and  deem  it  indispensable 
to  have  some  one  in  your  midst  who  could  read  it,  and 
thus  settle  important  questions  which  might  arise  in  your 
minds,  and  that  could  no  otherwise  be  solved  than  by 
reference  to  the  words  of  the  original  instrument?     How 
did  the  Reformers  talk  upon  this  point  ?     Hear  Martin 
Luther:   "For    'the    devil    smelled   the   roast;'  that   if 
the  languages  revived,  his  kingdom  would  get  a  hole  that 
he  could  not  easily  stop  up  again.     And  let  us  understand 
this,   that  we  shall  not  be   able  to  preserve  the  Gospel 
without  the  languages.     The  languages  are  the  sheath  in 
which  this  sword  of  the  Spirit  is  hid;  they  are  the  casket 
in  which  this    jewel  is  borne;    they  are  the   vessel   rn 
which  this  drink  is  contained;  they  are  the  cupboard  in 


398  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

\fhich  this  food  is  laid;  and,  as  the  Evangel  itself  show- 
eth,  they  are  the  baskets  which  hold  these  loaves  and 
fishes;  yea,  if  we  should  so  err  as  to  let  the  languages 
go — which  God  forbid — we  shall  not  only  lose  the  Gospel, 
but  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  we  shall  not  know  to  speak 
or  write  either  Latin  or  German  aright." 

But  we  are  often  reminded  that  our  Methodist  fathers 
preserved  and  preached  the  Gospel  without  the  languages. 
Let  us  never  forget,  however,  that  Methodism  was  born  in 
a  college;  and  though  many  of  her  ablest  ministers  were 
without  classical  attainments,  they  followed  a  mind  that 
was  as  ripe  in  scholarship  as  any  of  his  age.  That  purity 
and  vigor  of  style,  that  power  of  reasoning,  and  that 
reach  of  thought  which  characterized  the  productions  of 
John  Wesley,  could  never  have  been  attained  without 
early  discipline,  under  the  best  masters.  He  was  aided 
by  one  who  united  the  clearness  of  Aristotle  and  the  ele- 
gance of  Plato  with  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  who  checked 
his  foes  by  a  sword  that  lost  none  of  its  keenness  by 
being  polished.  Our  fathers  not  only  molded  their  ser- 
mons and  shaped  their  controversies  upon  elegant  models, 
but  uttered  their  emotions  in  songs  composed  by  one  who 
was  familiar  alike  with  Judea's  harp  and  Apollo's  lyre. 

If  it  be  important  that  we  preserve  the  divine  oracles 
in  the  dead  languages,  and  secure,  from  age  to  age,  a 
supply  of  minds  to  read  them  as  they  were  first  given,  it 
is  our  duty  to  establish  professorships  of  such  languages, 
whither  a  portion  of  our  youth  may  be  sent  for  instruc- 
tion. Do  you  say,  leave  this  to  Providence?  But  does 
Providence  act  miraculously  or  instrumentally  ?  And 
what  more  suitable  instrumentality  can  be  provided  than 
the  one  I  have  described  ?  Our  fathers  understood  this. 
Mr.  Wesley,  as  early  as  1748,  planted  Kingswood  school, 
and  shortly  after,  that  of  Woodhouse  Grove,  whose  fruits 
we  are  now  reaping,  in  the  productions  of  such  minds  as 


HIOHER    EDUCATION.  800 

Adam  Clarke,  and  the  profound  and  brilliant  ministry  of 
the  Weslejan  Church  in  England  and  her  colonics. 
Bishops  Coke  and  Asbury,  among  their  earliest  labors, 
founded  a  high  school;  and  their  successors,  animated 
by  the  same  spirit,  have  established  seminaries,  colleges, 
and  universities  all  through  the  land,  and  are  reaping 
their  advantages  in  all  the  departments  of  ecclesiastical 
exertion.  Who  stands  at  the  head  of  our  Sabbath 
schools?  of  our  missions?  of  our  quarterly  reviews?  of 
our  monthly  and  weekly  publications  ? 

But  let  us  examine  the  other  branch  of  religion — god- 
liness; that  is,  God-likeness,  or  the  imitation  of  God. 
But  how  shall  we  imitate  him  if  we  do  not  know  him  ? 
and  how  shall  we  know  him  but  by  his  attributes  ?  and 
how  shall  we  learn  his  attributes  but  by  their  manifesta- 
tions ?  and  what  are  their  manifestations  but  the  objects 
of  scientific  knowledge  ?  God's  attributes  are  natural  and 
moral.  The  former  are  wisdom,  power,  goodness.  Now, 
how  are  we  to  get  ideas  of  these  ?  Not  by  words — they 
are  but  signs.  Would  you  teach  a  child  of  divine  wisdom, 
for  example,  you  lead  him  through  nature,  whether  from 
the  dew-drop  to  the  ocean,  from  the  moss  to  the  oak, 
from  the  worm  to  the  angel,  from  earth  to  the  worlds  on 
high.  Doing  so,  you  do  just  what  the  Bible  does;  it  in- 
troduces us  to  God  through  the  heavens  and  the  earth, 
and  all  along  renews  our  acquaintance  with  him  by  the 
waters,  which  he  measures  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand ;  the 
heavens,  which  he  metes  out  with  a  span;  the  mountains, 
which  he  weighs  in  scales;  the  sweet  influences  of  Plei- 
ades, which  he  binds;  and  the  bands  of  Orion,  which  he 
loosens. 

True,  the  Divine  attributes  are  traceable  upon  the  face 
of  nature,  even  by  the  untutored  mind;  but  how  vastly 
more  impressive  are  they  when  the  light  of  science 
shines  upon  them,  leading  the  mind  from  facts  to  princi- 


400  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

pies,  from  principles  to  systems,  from  systems  to  designs, 
from  harmonious  designs  to  unity  of  plan,  and  from  unity 
of  plan  to  the  one  only  and  true  God.  How  vast  the 
difference  between  the  adoration  of  the  most  devout  sav- 
age, and  that  of  the  rapt  soul  of  the  immortal  Newton ! 
Science,  I  know,  may  be  perverted,  but  must  we  therefore 
cease  to  cultivate  it?  The  English  language  may  be 
used  in  swearing,  and  lying,  and  slandering,  but  must 
we  therefore  all  be  dumb  ?  The  tendency  of  science  is  to 
uproot  superstition,  enthusiasm,  and  idolatry,  and  increase 
our  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  and  our  veneration  for 
him.  It  is  therefore  the  duty  of  Christians  to  foster  the 
natural  and  exact  sciences,  and  of  course  to  establish  in- 
stitutions where  they  may  be  taught.  As  we  are  im- 
pressed with  the  natural  attributes  of  God  by  studying 
his  works,  we  may  be  impressed  with  his  moral  attri- 
butes by  pondering  his  providence.  I  grant  that  we 
could  not  discover  them  by  these  means.  The  mingling  of 
justice  and  mercy,  which  we  notice  in  the  administration 
of  this  world,  might  produce  confusion  in  our  minds  con- 
cerning God's  moral  character,  did  not  the  Bible  reduce 
things  to  order  by  opening  to  our  view  the  world  to  come, 
and  displaying  the  scenes  of  Calvary.  But  after  we  have 
seen  the  face  of  God  in  Christ,  it  is  well  that  we  study 
him  by  his  providences;  that,  through  the  aid  of  history, 
we  mark  how,  by  mysterious  hands,  vice  is  borne  down- 
ward, and  virtue  upward,  and  how  all  things  in  the  gen- 
eral sweep  of  ages  tend  to  drive  wickedness  from  the 
earth,  and  bring  in  the  reign  of  universal  righteousness. 
More  particularly  may  we  see,  in  the  history  of  the  past, 
how  dark  is  the  noblest  light  of  science  without  the  light 
of  revelation,  and  how  incapable  of  renovation  is  the 
earth  without  the  redeeming  scheme.  I  am  aware  that 
many  would  have  us  avoid  history,  and  especially  the  his- 
tory of  classic  ages,  because  of  its  errors  and  impurities. 


HIGHEE    EDUCATION.  401 

For  the  same  reason,  to  be  consistent,  they  should 
deny  us  social  intercourse.  There  is  more  corruption 
in  the  hearts  of  the  living,  than  the  writings  of  the 
dead ;  and  the  piety  that  is  in  danger  from  a  page  of 
Livy  or  a  line  of  Horace,  should  not  be  trusted  in  the 
hall  of  justice,  or  the  streets  of  the  metropolis.  The 
Bible  itself  recounts  the  errors  of  men  as  well  as  the 
wonders  of  God,  and  so  should  the  Church  in  all  ages. 
Hence,  she  should  have  her  libraries  and  her  instructors 
in  ancient  literature,  that  she  may  illustrate  in  the  deal- 
ings of  God  with  man  the  teachings  of  his  word. 

4.  We  Srgue  from  the  nature  of  the  Gospel.  It  is  a 
revelation  from  heaven,  and  it  came  with  its  appropriate 
proof.  The  fact  that  God  has  given  such  proof,  is  a  dem- 
onstration that  it  is  necessary;  and  even  if  it  were  not,  it 
would  be  to  every  upright  and  devout  mind  an  interest- 
ing matter  of  inquiry. 

The  Gospel  is  a  copious  volume  of  truth ;  and  although 
its  leading  revelations,  such  as  the  existence  of  God,  the 
sinfulness  of  man,  and  salvation  by  Christ,  are  written 
so  that  he  who  runs  may  read,  yet  it  contains  a  vast 
amount  of  truth  which  can  not  be  obtained  without  much 
information,  and  a  good  degree  of  mental  development. 
In  interpreting  the  Bible,  as  in  interpreting  other  books, 
we  must  discriminate  between  history  and  command,  be- 
tween the  special  and  the  general,  between  the  temporary 
and  the  permanent,  between  the  literal  and  the  figurative, 
between  the  desire  and  the  promise.  Some  think  if  we 
are  only  mindful  of  the  precepts  of  Christianity,  it  mat- 
ters but  little  whether  we  understand  its  teachings;  but 
the  precepts  rest  upon  the  ter  jhings;  a  misapprehension 
of  the  latter  leads  to  a  misapplication  of  the  former. 
Joshua,  by  Divine  direction,  entered  Canaan  with  fire  and 
sword;  Cromwell  thought  he  should  do  likewise,  and  this 
mistake,    propagated   through   his   praying   lines,    made 

34    * 


402  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

them  so  calm  in  carnage,  so  irresistible  in  battle,  so  piotiB 
when  dripping  in  fraternal,  blood. 

One  reads  that  the  Holy  Spirit  leads  into  all  truth. 
Some  friend  presents  to  his  mind  a  wild  scheme  of  social- 
ism, and  insists  upon  his  entering^ into  it.  Instead  of 
examining  it  according  to  general  principles  and  provi- 
dential analogies,  he  retires  to  his  closet,  and  prays  that 
God  would  inform  him  whether  it  is  proper  that  he  should 
adopt  it.  Mistaking  an  agitation  of  body  or  mind  for 
a  divine  breathing,  he  embarks  his  property  and  repu- 
tation in  an  enterprise  which  must  issue  in  ruin  and 
disgrace.  Another  is  in  doubt  concerning  a  certain  in- 
terpretation of  the  prophecies.  Instead  of  examining  it 
by  the  rules  of  exegesis  and  the  light  of  history,  he  prays 
that  God  may  inform  him  of  its  correctness.  He  mis- 
takes a  conception  for  a  sensation,  or  experiences  an  un- 
usual peace  of  mind;  and,  supposing  he  is  answered 
affirmatively,  he  rises  from  his  knees  a  believer  in  the 
interpretation,  proof  against  all  the  researches  of  learning 
and  the  resources  of  logic.  Conceiving  that  he  is  in- 
structed by  Infinite  Mind,  what  were  even  mathematical 
demonstration  against  him?  In  all  these  cases  the  prin- 
ciples are  right,  the  feelings  are  right,  the  education  only 
is  wrong — the  faith  has  not  a  rational,  Scriptural  basis — 
the  prayer  could  plead  no  promise.  Little  does  he  know 
of  the  Church,  who  does  not  know  that  the  pictures  I  have 
drawn  have  many  prototypes.  I  need  but  name  Jemima 
Wilkinson,  Joanna  Southcot,  Thoms,  and  Joe  Smith,  to 
show  that,  under  the  spires  of  English  cathedrals,  and 
around  the  blaze  of  Puritan  chandeliers,  a  simple-hearted, 
religious  people  may  be  diverted  from  truth  for  want 
of  instruction  and  training.  We  hear  much  of  the  fruits 
of  the  tree  of  knowledge,  but  who  warns  us  against  the 
brambles  of  ignorance  that  infest  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord? 


HIGHER    EDUCATION.  408 

Some  may  inquire,  "Is  not  the  great  purpose  of  the 
Gospel  to  awaken  love  to  man  and  God;  and,  under  the 
influence  of  this  emotion,  can  we  fail  to  iinderstand  our 
duty?"  Love,  though  the  fulfilling  of  the  law,  requires 
to  be  enlightened.  Parental  love  has  driven  many  a 
child  to  the  gallows;  Christian  love  unwittingly  may  have 
injured  its  object  by  misdirecting  its  exertions.  For  more 
than  sixty  years,  the  Bishop  of  Chiapa  labored  and 
prayed  to  introduce  African  slavery  into  the  American 
continent — a  measure  which  he  supposed  would  be  a 
mercy  to  the  Indians  of  Hispaniola,  an  accommodation  to 
its  colonists,  and  a  blessing  to  the  African  race ;  but  his 
love,  not  being  consistent  with  justice,  led  to  the  desola- 
tion of  Africa,  the  horrors  of  the  middle  passage,  and  the 
woes  of  American  slavery — woes  which  an  angel's  pencil 
can  not  paint,  and  which  God  only  knows  what  age  shall 
end.  Some  ask,  "Is  not  conscience  a  sufficient  guide?" 
Saul  of  Tarsus  once  hurried  from  city  to  city,  hunting, 
imprisoning,  murdering  Christians.  He  acted  in  all  good 
conscience,  and  thought  he  was  doing  God  service  till 
light  from  the  face  of  Jesus  struck  his  eyeballs.  Yet  he 
was  not  innocent;  nor  were  Charles  IX,  Gregory  XIII, 
Louis  XIV,  Bloody  Mary  and  her  Commission  Court, 
though  they  may  have  acted  in  all  good  conscience;  for  it 
was  their  duty  to  have  not  only  a  good,  but  an  educated 
conscience — to  examine  not  only  their  motives,  but  their 
principles. 

But  some  one  may  say,  you  make  no  diflFerence  between 
education  and  religion.  Is  not  religion  a  work  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  upon  the  heart?  True,  but  how  does  the  Holy 
Spirit  operate,  with  or  without  the  truth  ?  If  without, 
why  does  not  the  work  of  conversion  go  on  in  heathen  as 
well  as  Christian  lands?  "Ye  shall  know  the  truth,"  says 
Christ,  "and  the  truth  shall  make  you  free."  Hence  says 
St.  Paul,  "How,  then,  shall  they  call  on  Him  in  whom 


404  EDUCATIONAL     ESSAYS. 

they  have  not  believed?  and  hovf  shall  they  believe  in 
Him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?  and  how  shall  they 
hear  without  a  preacher?"  If  the  Gospel  must  be 
proclaimed,  who  does  not  see  that  the  mind  must  be  pre- 
pared to  receive  it  ?  Ask  him  who  bringeth  good  tidings, 
who  publisheth  peace,  whether  he  would  not  rather 
undertake  to  evangelize  an  intelligent  than  an  ignorant 
people.  AVhy  do  they  whose  feet  are  so  beautiful  upon 
the  mountains  of  heathendom  make  such  slow  progress? 
Surely,  because  the  mind  to  which  they  minister  is  undis- 
ciplined, undeveloped,  uninformed.  Why  does  the  Church 
make  such  slow  progress  in  our  own  land?  Partly,  at 
least,  in  consequence  of  an  inability,  in  the  common  mind, 
to  comprehend  the  instruction  of  the  pulpit — to  gener- 
alize specific  statements,  to  take  wide  surveys  of  duty,  and 
to  apply  general  principles  to  the  details  of  life.  All 
Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profitable 
for  doctrine — and  this  is  its  first  function — then  follows, 
for  reproof,  then  for  conviction,  then  for  instruction  in 
righteousness. 

Finally,  we  argue  from  the  nature  of  the  duties 
directly  or  indirectly  required  of  the  Church.  Zion 
is  called  to  disciple  all  nations  —  a  duty  which  she 
can  not  discharge  without  education.  Remarkable  must 
be  the  piety  which  makes  an  ignorant  man  eminently 
useful;  culpable  must  be  the  indifference  which  renders 
an  intelligent  man  otherwise.  I  grant  that  a  few  men  of 
imperfect  education  have  been  instrumental  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  great  good,  but  little  could  they  have  done 
without  the  aid  of  others  more  highly  favored.  True,  the 
apostles  were  ignorant,  but  they  sat  at  the  feet  of  Christ; 
they  understood  Greek,  and  no  sooner  were  they  commis- 
sioned than,  by  a  miracle,  they  were  made  scholars.  When 
God  chooses  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound 
the  wise,  he  generally  makes  those  weak  things  strong. 


HIGHER    EDUCATION.  405 

The  Church  owes  a  duty  to  the  state.  What  Luther 
said  to  parents  we  may  say  to  Churches:  "Now  if  thou 
hast  a  child  that  is  fit  to  receive  instruction,  and  art  able 
to  hold  him  to  it,  and  dost  not,  what  shall  become  of 
the  secular  government,  its  laws  and  its  peace?  Thou 
warrest  against  the  secular  government  as  much  as  in  thee 
lies,  like  the  Turk,  yea,  like  the  devil  himself;  for  thou 
withholdest  from  the  country  a  redeemer,  comfort,  corner- 
stone." More  particularly  is  this  true  of  our  own  country. 
As  our  Government  secures  protection  to  the  Church,  the 
Church  should  share  the  burdens  of  the  Government;  and 
among  them  is  that  of  furnishing  the  talent  for  its  ad- 
ministration. Where  the  Church  is  responsible,  there 
has  she  privilege;  and,  so  far  as  she  has  voters,  and  as 
long  as  the  Government  is  a  representative  democracy, 
so  far  and  so  long  she  is  responsible  for  its  administra- 
tion. It  is  to  be  feared  that  we  do  not  appreciate  our 
position,  or  the  influence  coming  down  upon  us  from  high 
places  would  be  less  pernicious.  In  the  early  history  of 
our  country,  our  great  men  were  good;  they  revered  the 
Bible,  and  founded  the  Government  upon  its  pillars  of 
eternal  truth.  But  there  has  been  a  great  decline,  both 
of  wisdom  and  virtue,  since  their  day.  This  is  owing, 
partly,  at  least,  to  the  fact  that  our  literary  institutions 
have  so  imperfectly  supplied-*the  wants  of  the  country. 
Let  not  good  men  think  meanly  of  their  children,  but  pol- 
ish their  golden  minds,  that,  if  need  be,  they  may  shine  as 
stars  in  the  galaxy  of  their  country's  statesmen.  Every 
son  born  upon  our  soil  has  a  right  to  aspire  to  the  Presi- 
dency. Let  him  be  so  educated  that  the  right  be  not  a 
nullity.  We  have  no  wish  to  interfere  with  the  rights  of 
conscience — we  pray  that  this  Government  may  never 
show  any  religious  preferences;  but  we  wish  to  realize  the 
bright  vision  of  one  of  our  fathers — Br.  Coke — who, 
speaking  of  the  college  which  he  founded — in  connection 


406  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

with  Bishop  Asbury — said:  "And  on  this  plan  we  trust 
that  our  seminaries  of  learning  will  in  time  send  forth 
men  who  will  be  a  blessing  to  their  country  in  every  laud- 
able office  and  employment  in  life,  thereby  uniting  the 
two  greatest  ornaments  of  intelligent  beings,  which 
are  too  often  separated — deep  learning  and  genuine  re- 
ligion." 

We  owe  it  to  ourselves  to  educate,  and  instruct,  and 
train  our  ministry.  A  more  important  office  can  not  be 
conceived  than  that  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  His 
business  is  with  souls,  and  for  eternity.  There  is  no 
other  profession  which  does  not  demand  preparatory  in- 
Btruction  and  training.  There  is  no  trade  so  simple  as 
not  to  require  an  apprenticeship.  Why,  then,  should 
men  without  preparation  commence  the  work  of  minister- 
ing in  the  temple  of  God?  Are  spirits  more  easily  op- 
erated upon  than  bodies  ?  Is  mind  more  readily  molded 
than  matter?  Are  the  laws  of  the  soul  more  easily 
understood  than  the  properties  of  marble?  Now,  I  am 
aware  that  conviction,  conversion,  sanctification,  are  all 
of  God  ;  and  yet  God  works  in  grace  as  in  nature,  through 
appointed  agencies,  and  according  to  immutable  laws. 
The  only  question  is,  whether  these  agencies  are  appro- 
priate or  otherwise,  and  whether  these  laws  are  analogous 
to  the  other  laws  of  the  universe,  or  directly  the  reverse 
of  them.  God  might  propagate  the  Gospel  without  min- 
isters, but  it  pleases  him,  by  the  foolishness  o^ preaching, 
to  save  them  that  believe.  The  earthen  vessels,  all  ad- 
mit, are  necessary  to  transmit  the  waters  of  grace. 
"But,"  some  say,  "let  them  be  mere  channels,  lest  they 
tincture  the  stream :  let  them  have  no  science."  Then, 
of  course,  they  should  not  learn  geography,  or  grammar, 
or  even  the  alphabet,  for  this  is  all  science.  Let  them 
be  placed  in  the  pulpit,  mouth  open,  and  let  the  people 
approach  with  their  ear-buckets  to  draw  from  these  wells 


HIGHER    EDUCATION.  407 

of  salvation,  as  occasion  requires.     Doubtless,  God  might 
evangelize  a  world  just  soj  but  does  he? 

Does  he  not  employ  active,  suitable  agencies  to  accom- 
plish his  work?  When,  in  olden  times,  he  blessed 
Israel  and  administered  to  them  the  stay  of  bread  and 
of  water,  he  gave  them  the  mighty  man,  and  the  judge, 
and  the  prophet,  and  the  prudent,  and  the  ancient,  and 
the  honorable  man,  and  the  counselor,  and  the  cunning 
artificer,  and  the  eloquent  orator;  and  when  he  cursed 
them,  he  took  these  all  away,  and  gave  children  to  be 
her  princes,  and  babes  to  rule  over  her.  I  may  be  told 
that  God  chooses  feeble  instruments  to  carry  on  his  work, 
that  the  excellency  of  the  power  may  be  of  him.  True, 
and  of  whom  have  we  learned  this  but  of  the  most 
learned  of  the  apostles,  who  was  not  the  less  qualified  for 
his  learning  and  talents  to  avoid  enticing  words  of  man's 
wisdom,  and  preach  in  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit 
and  of  power. 

If  ministers  should  possess  suitable  qualifications,  how 
shall  they  obtain  them  ?  1  know  of  but  three  ways ; 
namely,  intuition,  inspiration,  and  instruction.  The  first 
is  out  of  the  question;  the  second,  it  seems  to  me,  is 
nearly  so;  for  what  need  have  we  for  any  labor  of 
thought,  for  any  instruction  from  books,  for  even  the 
Bible  itself,  if  men  called  of  God  are  also  inspired  of  him 
to  preach  the  truth  ?  To  them  it  might  be  said,  not 
'■'■study  to  show  thyself  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be 
ashamed;"  not  "take  Jieed  unto  thyself  and  unto  the  doo 
trine;"  not  "continue  thou  in  the  things  which  thou 
hast  ^ear/ic(Z ;"  not  "make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry,"  but 
"  take  no  thought  what  or  how  ye  shall  speak,  for  in  that 
same  hour  that  ye  stand  in  the  pulpit  it  shall  be  given 
you."  But  why  argue  thus,  since  all  admit  that  a  min- 
ister must  be  instructed  if  he  would  be  a  workman 
approved    unto  God.     True,  his   success    does   not   flow 


408  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

efiBciently  from  his  attainments  or  diligence.  The  gales 
of  the  divine  Spirit  alone  cau  waft  the  vessel  of  Zion  over 
the  ocean  of  life  to  the  port  of  heaven.  Nevertheless,  that 
vessel  should  be  manned  by  a  crew  that  has  knowledge 
of  the  principles  of  spiritual  navigation,  and  skill  in  the 
art  of  spreading  or  reefing  the  spiritual  sails.  And  this 
knowledge  and  skill  are  to  be  obtained  in  part — I  say 
not  wholly — just  as  the  knowledge  of  Davies's  Legendre 
and  the  skill  of  the  expert  sailor  is. 

The  minister  must  learn,  study,  read,  pray,  and  preach. 
When  and  how  can  he  best  do  this  ?  Some  say,  after  he 
enters  upon  his  vocation.  Do  you  say  so  of  the  doctor  or 
the  lawyer?  True,  if  a  man  could  obtain  practice  with- 
out science,  he  might  become  skillful  in  time,  but  at  what 
sacrifice  of  comfort,  and  character,  and  conscience  on  his 
own  part,  and  of  property,  and  health,  and  life  on  the  part 
of  his  patrons  ? 

How  shall  ministers  be  instructed  ?  by  their  own  un- 
aided exertions;  or,  as  physicians,  and  lawyers,  and 
artists,  and  mechanics  usually  are,  under  the  tuition  of 
competent  masters?  We  hesitate  not  to  say,  in  the 
latter  method,  because  it  must  be  attended  with  a  great 
saving  both  of  time  and  money,  and  because,  also,  it 
insures  a  greater  degree  of  accuracy.  We  should  then 
have  in  all  our  higher  institutions  instructors  to  train 
the  class  of  the  prophets. 

"But,"  it  is  asked,  "is  there  not  a  special  providence 
over  the  world  which  may  be  relied  on  to  furnish  her 
with  all  necessary  ministerial  labor?"  True,  and  that 
special  providence  requires  you  to  use  the  means.  Have 
we  not  thus  far  been  furnished  with  able  pastors  with- 
out any  provision  for  special  ministerial  instruction  ? 
Granted.  Why,  then,  make  such  provision  for  the  future  ? 
I  answer,  circumstances  have  changed  in  the  Church  and 
in  the  world.     Though  the  Bible  is  the  same,  yet  there  may 


HIGHER    EDUCATION.  400 

be  new  ways  of  administering  it;  the  san  alters  not, 
but  there  are  new  methods  of  applying  his  rays;  the 
human  mind  is  the  same,  but  there  are  new  methods  of 
transmitting  its  thoughts;  the  earth  is  the  same,  but 
there  are  new  ways  of  traveling  over  its  surface;  the 
Churches  and  the  nations  are  in  the  same  position, 
geographically,  as  they  were  fifty  years  ago,  but  they 
have  moved  both  intellectually  and  morally.  "Let  the 
world  change,"  cries  one,  "  we  don't."  Stop ;  don't  you 
lie  down  when  the  sun  sets  and  get  up  when  he  rises; 
don't  you  kindle  fires  in  winter  and  open  windows  in 
summer;  don't  you  sow  in  spring  and  reap  in  harvest; 
did  you  not  read  without  spectacles  in  youth,  and  have 
you  not  put  them  on  now?  "Formerly  we  had  good 
preachers,  good  students,  good  schools,  without  black- 
boards, maps,  or  books."  Formerly  you  crossed  rivers 
without  bridges,  and  seas  without  steam,  and  countries 
without  railways,  but  would  you  prefer  to  do  so  now? 
We  must  not  overlook  the  fact  that  our  fathers  were  men 
of  extraordinary  natural  ability — Asbury,  M'Kendree, 
Soule,  Bigelow,  Strange,  Collins,  Cooper,  etc.,  were  men 
who  would  have  been  distinguished  in  any  department 
of  exertion.  When  men  of  this  description  succeed  in 
the  ministry,  we  must  not  infer  that  there  is  no  need  of 
preparation  for  the  ministry;  for,  by  the  same  process? 
we  might  show  that  there  is  no  need  of  schools  to  pre- 
pare men  for  medicine,  law,  or  philosophy,  since  it  is  not 
difficult  to  find  persons  in  all  the  professions  who,  by  the 
force  of  surpassing  genius,  have  put  themselves  in  the 
front  rank,  although  they  had  scarce  any  previous  prep- 
aration. The  Methodist  pioneers  have  apparently  no 
successors,  worthy  of  them.  Not  because  there  are  none 
in  their  footsteps  who  would  have  won  the  same  distinc- 
tion had  they  been  leaders,  and  not  followers,  but  be. 
cause,  while  native  talent  does  not  progress  from  age  to 

85 


410  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

age,  the  world  does.  Could  we  call  back  the  fathers  and 
make  them  live  their  lives  over  again,  extraordinary  as 
they  were,  they  would  not  occupy  the  same  relative 
position. 

Men  of  genius,  such  as  we  have  had  and  now  have,  we 
may  expect  to  have  hereafter,  but  not  in  such  numbers 
as  to  supply  the  demands  of  the  country  and  the  world. 
God  is  sending  the  old  world  by  millions  to  our  shores. 
In  one  of  our  valleys  alone  we  could  victual  the  whole 
population  of  the  earth,  and  God  only  knows  how  soon 
we  shall  have  to  do  it;  hither  come  the  rich  to  invest 
capital ;  the  poor  to  seek  bread ;  the  wise  to  impart 
knowledge;  the  silly,  they  scarce  know  why;  the  timid 
to  escape  revolution;  the  bold  to  seek  adventures. 
Whence  do  they  come?  from  all  the  earth,  but  chiefly 
from  the  dominions  of  Eomanism.  Welcome,  thrice 
welcome  ;  they  come  to  seek  refuge — may  they  find  salva- 
tion! But,  that  they  may,  we  must  bestir  ourselves;  we 
must  send  ministers  by  thousands  through  the  valleys  of 
the  west;  we  must  station  them  by  hundreds  on  the 
mountain  tops,  in  the  wilderness,  and  along  the  shores  of 
the  Pacific. 

This  we  owe  to  ourselves,  to  Jesus  Christ,  to  perishing 
souls.  Egypt,  Persia,  Turkey,  and  the  islands  of  the 
sea,  are  taking  their  stand  among  civilized  nations,  are 
offering  inviting  fields  of  Christian  labor;  India  is 
whitening  to  the  harvest  of  salvation  ;  China  has  relaxed 
her  unsocial  exclusiveness,  and  opened  her  paths  to  the 
footsteps  of  the  evangelist;  Africa,  so  long  known  only 
to  geography,  is  accessible  at  both  her  extremities  and 
along  her  eastern  and  western  borders. 

The  mountains  of  Asia,  the  valleys  of  the  Nile,  the 
Niger,  the  Senegal,  and  the  Gambia,  the  snowy  peaks  of 
Greenland,  and  the  volcanic  summits  of  intertropical 
regions  cry  out  to  us  for  help.     Ten  thousand  mission' 


HIGHER    EDUCATION.  411 

anes  would  not  satisfy  the  demand  of  the  present  hour. 
What  shall  we  do  ?  "  Pray  ye  the  Lord  of  the  harvest 
that  he  would  send  forth  laborers  into  his  harvest."  We 
have  no  faith  in  any  that  God  does  not  call;  but  should 
we  not  act  consistently  with  our  prayer,  work  in  accord- 
ance with  our  faith  ?  —  look  up  the  buried  talent  of  the 
Church  and  furbish  it?  May  we  not  expect  that  many 
who  now  feel  no  impulse  to  the  pastor's  work  would  re- 
ceive an  undoubted  call  to  it  if  they  found  themselves 
possessed  of  the  prerequisite  qualifications  for  missionary 
labor?  For  how  can  one  feel  called  to  preach  in  a  lan- 
guage that  he  knows  not,  or  to  acquire  an  unknown 
tongue  without  some  fitness  for  linguistic  acquisitions? 
Let  us  deprive  our  youth  of  all  reasonable  excuses,  and 
then  expect  that  they  shall  be  called  by  thousands.  Do 
not  say,  "  Wait  till  we  have  the  means  in  the  missionary 
treasury  to  support  them."  Get  the  men,  the  means  will 
follow.  Put  down  such  a  man  as  Luther,  Wesley,  Fisk, 
Carey,  or  Wayland  any  where  on  the  round  globe,  and  he 
will  draw  to  himself  the  means  of  support  and  soon  build 
a  chapel  over  his  head. 

Some  exclaim  against  educated  preachers  because  they 
fear  such  will  preach  science  instead  of  Gospel.  It  does  not 
follow,  however,  that  a  man  must  preach  science  because 
he  possesses  it.  Because  a  man  has  plenty  of  silver  and 
gold,  must  his  tea-spoons  necessarily  be  too  large  for  the 
mouths  of  his  children  ?  It  is  poverty  that  delights  in 
display — the  smatterer  that  interlards  his  discourse  with 
Latin  and  Greek.  Some  men  depreciate  cultivated  style 
because  it  is  not  plain — it  is  of  all  others  the  most 
plain.  He  is  an  uneducated  warrior  that  arms  himself 
with  bracelets,  and  rings,  and  nose-jewels;  the  educated 
one  asks  only  weapons.  It  has  been  affirmed  by  croakers 
that  there  has  been  a  decline  in  the  piety  of  the  min- 
istry, keeping   pace  with  their  progress  in  knowledge. 


412  EDUCATIONAL    ESSAYS. 

Suppose  this  allegation  be  true,  it  does  not  follow  that 
this  progress  is  the  cause  of  that  decline;  if  this  is  even 
80,  it  would  prove  too  much  for  even  the  objector  him- 
self— it  would  prove  the  favorite  dogma  of  the  Roman 
Church,  that  "ignorance  is  the  mother  of  devotion," 
and  that  the  true  policy  of  Zion  is  to  go  back  to  the 
dark  ages  ;  but  I  do  not  believe  the  statement,  I  am  one 
of  those  happy  men  who  see  in  the  world  and  in  the 
Church  perpetual  improvement. 


THE    END. 


)RiDWERS 


UC  SOUTHERN  °EGiO 


